22D
Monday, March 7th, 2011Yesterday I sat next to a Mexican-American businessman named Juan on my from Mexico City to Phoenix. Originally he had 22E – the middle seat – between myself and Mary who was traveling with our group. But I moved over so he could have the aisle. After a few introductions I learned that Juan lived in the Phoenix area and was visiting family in Mexico City. He told me that his mother is in the hospital and this is the second time he has flown down this month. He didn’t expect her to live much longer. She is being kept alive by live support.
I shared with Juan that my mother passed away in August. In fact pretty similar situations. We talked about death and pain and sons losing mothers. He remarked that death was a part of life. Though I sensed he was trying to convince himself. ”Yes”, I said, “it doesn’t make it right. Death is the enemy of us all. It the common enemy of every person on this plane and this planet. And the pain of death is greater for those left behind. They experience pain but we grieve and feel there loss.” I also shared with him why i was in Mexico City and why I was involved in helping end injustice. The conversation wained and I started reading a book.
Later in the flight he asked me if I was a Christian. I would like to say that he saw my compassion and felt I must be a follower of Christ. But I think it was because of the book I was reading. Juan said, “I used to believe in God but he hasn’t answered my prayers for my mom.” He was not argumentative, or angry. He said it as a matter of a fact.
In turn I didn’t argue or try to push my beliefs. I felt for him thinking of what it must be like to go through this without faith and losing your faith. I asked him about his prior belief and whether his mom believed in God. ”Yes, she believes in God and is very devout. I have believed in God all my life but I don’t anymore. My brothers and I prayed and cried to God to heal our mother and He didn’t. So He must not really exist.” Juan also lost his first wife and his father in recent years.
I explained to Juan that I understand. But I also shared with him what helped me.. helps me. I told him that I believe we were not created to die. That there was no death in the beginning when God created man and women. We were not made to die, to experience pain or injustice. But the world is broken. We are broken. Death is the enemy of us all. And God sent his Son to take on that enemy. I told Juan that I believe He is real, that He cares and that He will make all things new. That one day in His kingdom there will be no more death, no pain, no sorrow, no horrific injustice. And that Juan’s mother who believes and trusts in God, she will soon see His face and be made whole.
We had some more good conversation afterwards. Mary and he talked too while I excused myself to the facilities. Coming back before the plane landed, I told Juan that I would pray for his mom – Maria Guadalupe – and him. We exchanged emails. Juan faces a period of grieving and his life will be different without his mother but my prayer is that he will experience the reality of a loving God even in the midst of this suffering. I hope that Juan will sense His presence, goodness and love.
Maybe some of this happened even on that flight as Juan said to both Mary and myself before he left, “I think God had me sit next to two angels today.”
