A Plan Greater Than Ourselves

I never thought I’d find myself here—a man in his forties, holding a mug of coffee, with justsinglechristians.com open on my laptop screen.

At first, I treated it more as a curiosity than a real chance of meeting someone special. But God has a sense of humor—and often leads us to places we’d never go on our own.

When I saw Rebecca’s profile, something stirred inside me. In her bio, she’d written:

“Looking for someone I can pray with over breakfast—and laugh with until tears stream down our faces by midday.”

I thought: That sounds like someone who truly understands what joy in faith really means.

After just a few messages, I knew we had to meet. Rebecca had a lightness of spirit that felt like sunshine after a storm. But I didn’t want our first meeting to be just coffee or dinner.

So I wrote: “This Saturday, there’s a hot air balloon festival. I know it sounds a little crazy, but would you… fly with me?”

Her reply came moments later: “Sounds completely insane. What time should I be ready?”

Saturday dawned clear and bright—and I was more nervous than I’d ever been before any exam. Rebecca arrived right on time, wearing a hat, carrying a smile, and holding two thermoses of coffee.

- I figured we’d want coffee in the sky too. - she joked.

- In that case, - I replied, - you must be an angel who comes prepared.

The balloon rose slowly, gently, and the earth below grew smaller and smaller.

Rebecca held onto the basket—nervous, yet full of wonder.

- I never imagined I’d do something like this. - she said, gazing into the distance. - But you know what? Sometimes God invites us into things that feel too bold to be ours.

- That’s exactly how I feel. - I admitted. - If I hadn’t trusted that He has a plan, I probably never would’ve messaged you.

Up there, silence settled around us, only the wind and the occasional whoosh of the burner. No cell service, no notifications, no noise from the world. Just us and the sky.

- It’s strange. - Rebecca said after a while. - I used to pray for God to show me it’s not too late for love. But I never imagined He’d answer… with a hot air balloon.

- He works in His own ways. - I laughed. - And clearly, He’s got a great sense of humor.

After we landed, we sat down on the grass—tired, slightly disheveled, but happy. Rebecca pulled a small box from her bag.

- I made sandwiches. - she said. - I know it doesn’t sound romantic, but apparently flying makes you hungry faster.

- Sounds like the perfect plan. - I smiled. - Because I’ve always believed God blesses those who can laugh together.

We ate and talked about everything—work, faith, how hard it sometimes is to recognize God’s signs.

- Maybe that’s exactly why He gives us people who can help us see them. - Rebecca said softly. - Because we don’t have to understand everything right away.

When I dropped her off at her door, the sun was setting. She paused and looked at me with a warm smile.

- Thank you, Samuel. For taking me closer to heaven today.

- I think it was Him who took us there. - I replied. - I just held the map.

I don’t know where this story will lead us. But I do know this: that day, I understood that God’s plan is rarely simple—but it’s always beautiful.

Sometimes it starts with a message online.

Sometimes with a prayer for courage.

And sometimes… with a wild idea to fly in a hot air balloon with someone who might just be the answer to your prayers.

Because when you trust God to know exactly when and whom to place on your path—the sky truly does become closer.