Jennifer BoGray

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It was seven o’clock and my arms were already tired from pulling my 45-pound suitcase through the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. I got through security quickly and made my way to my gate. My flight to Los Angeles was still on time and would be leaving within the hour.

I had just convened a memorable Thanksgiving vacation with my family and was heading back to Los Angeles. It was so good to get away from the rat race of Hollywood and spend quality time with family watching movies, playing games, reminiscing about old times, and eating home-cooked meals!

Though it was sad to say goodbye to my family, I knew that God needed me to go back to Los Angeles to continue my work in Hollywood.

We boarded the flight and I made my way to the tenth row. I put my carry-on in the overhead bin and sat down next to a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair and a navy blue coat. I buckled my seat belt and the cabin door shut.

The woman seemed to be fixated on something outside the plane; she kept looking out the window and never moved from her gazing position. I was a bit puzzled, but I just shrugged my shoulders and got my iPad out to listen to some tunes.

Ten minutes into the flight, she broke her trance and looked around the plane for the first time. Then she looked at me and before she could look back at the window I asked, “Are you from Dallas or Los Angeles?”

“I grew up in Los Angeles, but I’ve lived in Dallas the past ten years.”

She had a sweet, gentle demeanor, but a forced smile that showed signs of fatigue. Her lips quickly shut and pursed a slight frown. You’re going to save this woman’s life, Jennifer, I heard the Lord tell me. How could I save this woman’s life, God? She seems completely normal and fine to me!

I didn’t argue anymore with God. I just turned my attention to the mysterious soul next to me and began listening as she unraveled her story.

The next two hours of the flight were a non-stop conversation. This 42-year-old woman, who I will call Brenda for the sake of confidentiality, began sharing as if we were best friends. She was flying to Los Angeles for the next seven days to decide whether to stay married after 24 years of marriage. She unveiled her frustrations about life, marriage, family pressures, work, and how something was terribly missing in her life. Lord, now I know why you wanted me to sit here.

With tears and laughter I listened to each detail of her story. My heart was laden with compassion for this broken woman. After she took a few breaths, I began sharing about my own divorce and how God radically changed my heart through the hellish circumstances. I caught her eyes and said, “Remember, pain is pain whether you’ve been married one year or forty years, it still hurts. And you will experience pain whether you stay married or get a divorce, but you need to seek God’s will for your marriage and your life.”

She smiled as tears streamed down her rosy, round cheeks. “You’re right Jennifer. I just wish I knew the right answer.”

“Well, the best thing for you would be to pray and bring Jesus into the center of your life and marriage…that’s the only thing that kept me alive when I thought my life was literally over.”

She was silent for a second, thought about my words, and then began sharing about her childhood of being raised in a strong Christian church in Long Beach, California. She knew Jesus and experienced His love, but it had been many years since she had surrendered all to Him.

Just as I began to share about the dark nights that led me closer to Jesus, our plane dropped altitude! Screams and profanity filled the air! “Whoa! What’s happening?” I yelled as luggage shifted, lights flickered, and people grabbed their drinks from spilling. In one second, the whole plane had become an incubator of chaos!

Brenda looked at me with a ghostly expression. “What do you think happened, Jennifer?”

Honestly, I didn’t know how to answer her at that moment. What’s really happening, God? Are we going to die?

“Well…I’m not sure, Brenda. This is really scary and I have no clue what’s going on, but here…” I grabbed her hand and we began praying out loud.

I didn’t know what to say except repeat the name of Jesus over and over again. Brenda didn’t know what to say either, so she did the same thing as we closed our eyes to block out the daunting scene.

Finally, a flight attendant came on the loud speaker, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for the turbulence…We are experiencing extreme winds and need you to all stay in your seats with your seat belts fastened…”

That was it? That’s all the explanation they could give? Where are we, God? Please help! I’m so scared!

The turbulence subsided for about five minutes and you could hear sighs of relief throughout the plane. The girls across the aisle from me had their vomit bags out and were ready to lose their peanuts!

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We just received word that LAX has lost all power and we will be re-routing to another airport. Please be patient and calm.”

Patient and calm! Why is LAX out of power? Was it a terrorist attack? How will I get home?  The questions were swirling just as fast as the air outside the Plexiglas window where I could see death awaiting. What’s going on, God?

“Jennifer, I’m so scared.” Brenda was still tightly gripping my right hand and sniffing back tears. “I don’t want to die yet…I didn’t get a chance to tell my husband I love him. He dropped me off at the airport and I left without saying ‘I love you.’ I’m so scared that I’ll die with regrets!”

She was being consumed by panic and I was at a lost for words, but then God gave me the solution. “Brenda, let’s pray that God will save us and give you one more chance to tell your husband how much you love him.”

She nodded and we squeezed the other’s hand as we prayed fervently while the turbulence became stronger.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain again. Thank you for your patience and for staying calm. We are going to make an emergency landing into Palm Springs. Please stay in your seat with your seat belt fastened.”

Then, the real rollercoaster began. The plane began riding the wind like a surfboard on Hawaiian waves. Stomachs began to roll and the screams died down to an eerie silence. Brenda and I kept our eyes shut while praying and holding hands. At this point, I didn’t care who heard me praying the name of Jesus! If these were my last moments alive, then there’s only One Person who could save me or take me to heaven!

We got through the worst of it and the overhead bell rang to prepare for landing. I could see hope rising in the eyes of the people. We looked out the window to see the runway and made it to the ground. No one moved, clapped, or flinched. We were all glued to our seats.

The flight attendant got on the intercom, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have safely made it to Palm Springs. We just received word that LAX has power again. We will still provide a shuttle for any passengers wanting to take the two-hour ride to Los Angeles or you can wait on the plane while we refuel and get to LAX in thirty minutes. If you want to take the shuttle, please get your bags and make your way to the front of the plane.”

I looked at Brenda with fright. What should I do? It would be safer to take the ground shuttle to L.A. and be sure to get home safe rather than die!

“I feel like we’re on Titanic and we have to decide who’s getting in the boats! What are you going to do, Brenda?” She gave me a blank stare. I waited for a few seconds then unlocked my seat belt and opened the overhead bin to grab my bag and purse.

“I think I’m going to stay. Are you leaving, Jennifer?”

I was so confused at that moment with my own sense of survival, but then God said: Jennifer, you need to stay with Brenda. Even if you die on this next flight, I want you to make sure she knows Me so you can both stand before me in heaven.

Wow…my gut dropped to the ground. What are You thinking? Are You asking me to sacrifice my own life for a stranger!!!

I sucked in oxygen and smiled pensively as I put my bag back in the overhead bin and sat down next to Brenda. “I’m going to stay.” Her face transformed from fear to relief in a second.

The cabin door shut and I knew that this was it…this was my time to actually imitate Christ by laying down my life for someone else, a stranger who I had just met. Prayers swarmed my spirit and I asked God for all the peace of heaven at that moment. O Lord, give me the strength to die for Brenda.

Tears stung my eyes. Be with my mom and dad and all my family. Tell them how much I love them, God!  The petitions of love poured from my heart, and I knew that I was at peace with God and Man. I was ready to die.

The plane took off and as soon as we began gaining altitude the turbulence heightened, but this time no one made a sound. Brenda held my hand and shut her eyes in prayer. I could see a few tears trickling down her lovely face.

Jennifer, I want you to sing! Sing about My love and faithfulness! I am your strong tower and the Calmer of the storm!

Okay Lord, I’ll sing. This is the only thing that will keep my heart calm anyways!

I began singing, “Jesus, Jesus, my Jesus. There’s just something about that name…” I tried to not be loud, but just kept my eyes shut and focus on the Lord. There was only One God who could save me and He was the only audience that mattered at that moment, but little did I know that the passengers were listening and God had a captive audience.

I sang more songs: “I love you, Lord,” “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” and ended with “Amazing Grace.” I just kept singing and before we knew it the plane landed on the airstrip at LAX. We made it!  Praise God!

The entire plane erupted with applause and cheers! “We’re home safe!” I shouted, “Thank You, Jesus!”

Brenda turned to me with the biggest grin, “Jennifer that was beautiful…thank you! You gave me hope and now I have hope for everything else.”

A few tears toppled down my cheeks. “Brenda, this was not a mistake. God had us sit together for a reason. Promise me you’ll ask Him to show you His heart and perfect will for your marriage. Don’t block Him from your heart.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

With those few simple words, we hugged and said our goodbyes as we snatched our luggage to walk off the plane.

That plane ride not only changed Brenda’s life, but also challenged mine. As I walked to baggage claim, God asked: Were you ready to die for Brenda? Would you die for a stranger or even an enemy?

Yes, God. I was ready to die, but thank you for keeping me alive. I guess You have a lot more for me to do before I leave this earth. But, I surrender…my life is completely Yours. From this day forward I will do everything possible to reach the hungry and hurting because today may be my last. 

Are you ready to meet God today? Are you willing to die even for the soul of another?

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:12-14 NLT).
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