A Flight Like Heaven: Encountering God’s Love in the Ordinary

Flying on Christmas Eve from one coast to the other with Delta Air Lines is always an adventure; a quiet reminder that even an ordinary flight can feel a little like heaven. You never know who you will be sitting next to, what conversations might unfold, or what God might have planned in such an ordinary space as an airplane cabin.

The trip began with a surprise; I was upgraded to first class. Then came a second surprise. I realized I was surrounded on all sides by a single family. They were seated in front of me, beside me, and behind me. Ten family members, all traveling together to Hawaii for Christmas.

At the center of this group was Fred, who sat next to me, the 84-year-old patriarch of the family. He was gregarious, sharp, and incredibly intelligent. His sense of humor filled the cabin as he joked effortlessly while carrying on conversations with different family members at once. Even the flight attendant, Marcus, was drawn in. He joined the laughter, clearly enjoying the warmth and joy that seemed to radiate from this family.

What struck me immediately was Fred’s vitality. Many people assume that aging means slowing down, disengaging, or fading into the background. Fred was the opposite. He was curious, engaged, and very much alive. After a career of traveling the world training management teams, His favorite hobby was reading—mostly history—but on this flight he was reading a political satire book by John N. Kennedy, a U.S Senator currently in office, “How to Test Negative for Stupid”. He couldn’t resist sharing passages with me that he found especially funny, which inclines me to pick this book up also and read it. We talked about history, politics, life, and family with ease.

A Legacy of Love and Faith

As we talked, Fred shared that his wife had died from ovarian cancer several years earlier. That kind of loss leaves a deep ache, and adjustment never comes easily. Even so, Fred spoke with peace. His family surrounded him with constant love, and that love carried him forward. He spoke proudly of his three children, each established in their own field. One owned a business, one practiced medicine, and one worked as an architect. They all traveled together, along with their children, who were finishing school and discovering their own paths.

What stood out most was not their success, but their unity. The family showed no striving or pressure. They offered encouragement, kindness, and genuine affection. Within the first fifteen minutes, the presence of God became evident. The love felt different. It felt steady, joyful, and deeply rooted. Scripture tells us that God is love, and the Holy Spirit moved quietly through that cabin in goodness, joy, and peace.

Originally, my upgraded seat had been near the back of the cabin. That was fine with me. But then I was moved again, this time to seat 2, right in the center of the family. I couldn’t help but think: This is a God move.

God Encounter in Conversation

As our conversations continued, Fred would pause and say, “That’s exactly what my wife would have said.” After a while, he smiled and added, “It’s like sitting right next to my wife. You speak her words.” A true Christmas God encounter. I realized that while this family was a blessing to me, God was also working through me to comfort Fred—quietly reminding him that love does not end, and that those who belong to Christ are never truly separated.

About an hour into the flight, the grandchildren—who were seated in another section—came forward to join the laughter and conversation (and just check in). As they stood there talking, I noticed crosses around their necks. In that moment, my quiet wondering was confirmed. This was a Christian family.

I have known loving families who were not Christian, families built on strong values and kindness yet marked by striving instead of peace. This felt different. There was a peace, a joy, and a gentleness that comes only from walking with God. The Holy Spirit was present, not loudly or dramatically, but through the goodness, joy, and love filling that space.

God is Always at Work

He uses ordinary moments and unexpected encounters to bring comfort, encouragement, and hope. Sometimes He places us exactly where we need to be, not just for ourselves, but for someone else.

As the five-and-a-half-hour flight came to an end, I reflected on what I had witnessed. If we want to remain sharp, grounded, and full of life as we age, there is wisdom in reading, praying, staying connected to God, and raising children in His love. Scripture tells us that when we train up a child in the way they should go, they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6) and I saw that truth lived out right in front of me.

I also thought of a dear friend of mine who is 95 years old, still driving, using technology with ease, taking others to church, exercising daily, and faithfully reading her Bible and actively walking out her faith in what she does for others. Now I had met Fred, an 84-year-old patriarch, leading his family with wisdom, love, and humility, and possessing more technological know-how than many people far younger than himself.

Life is full of trials. Fred shared theirs too. Following God does not remove hardship, but it does anchor us through it. When we trust Him, He works all things for good. And on this Christmas Eve, that family was on their way to Hawaii, not just to celebrate a holiday, but to enjoy the gift of being together, wrapped in love, faith, and hope.

Sometimes heaven feels closer than we expect, sometimes, even at 30,000 feet.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree… They still bear fruit in old age.” — Psalm 92:12–14 (ESV)

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