Traveling Mishaps Put Man On Plane To Show Love Of Jesus After Passenger Dies
March 21, 2018
When an elderly woman unexpectedly died on a plane, passengers were more concerned with the flight's detour than the woman's traumatized daughter. But a series of mishaps put a man named Dan Eres on board. And this inspiring story of compassion on a plane reminds us that God has a way of putting the right people in the right place at the right time!
Inspiring Story Of Compassion On A Plane -- Change Of Plans
Dan Eres was all set for his trip to the Philippines and Thailand. . . or so he thought. But when he arrived at Dulles Airport check-in ready to roll, he realized he'd made a terrible mistake. Poor Dan had mistakenly grabbed his expired passport.
As he scrambled to retrieve his valid passport, Dan's original flight took off without him. When our plans get interrupted like this, it can be pretty frustrating and disappointing. But you never know when these setbacks are actually a divine intervention.
Once Dan got hold of the proper passport, he cobbled together a new flight plan to get him to his destination. He'd fly from Dulles to Dubai, then to Bangkok, next to Manila, and then on to the Philippines. He pondered what other "zany mishaps" might occur during his puddle jumping.
[caption id="attachment_50500" align="alignnone" width="750"] Credit: Facebook/Dan Eres[/caption]Dan was about to find out his rather indirect path to the Philippines actually put him smack dab in the middle of God's plans!
Inspiring Story Of Compassion On A Plane -- Another Interruption
Dan's complicated blitz of flights was under way when another unexpected interruption occurred. Several hours into the flight from Dubai to Bangkok, an elderly woman behind Dan started having trouble with her blood pressure. Flight staff gathered up three passengers on board who were doctors and immediately surrounded the woman, trying to save her.
When chest compressions didn't work, they tried a defibrillator. But it was too late. The woman passed away right there on the plane.
The woman's poor daughter watched the whole thing, as did the rest of the plane. Once the elderly woman was pronounced dead, the pilot rerouted the plane to the nearest supporting airport -- Hyderabad, India. He was following protocol, but many of the passengers were outraged by the detour, which would take them the opposite direction of Bangkok, their target destination.
RELATED: Total Strangers Surround a Crying Mom In The Airport (Why Will Give You Chills)
Needless to say, the woman's daughter was a wreck. She'd just watched her mother die. Dan didn't know either of them, but the scene hit him hard.
"I literally saw a woman pass away today. I'm shaken," he said.
You'd expect the other strangers on the plane to have a similar reaction. But Dan couldn't believe his eyes (and ears)!
[caption id="attachment_50504" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Credit: Facebook/Dan Eres[/caption]Instead of sympathy, many passengers were glaring at the woman and grumbling over the inconvenience to their plans. An especially rude passenger loudly complained, "Is the body off the plane yet?" Through sobs, the distraught daughter actually apologized to the plane.
It must have been very tempting to lash out at the cruel comments. But Dan is a faithful and tenderhearted Christian. He recognized God hadn't put him there to condemn others. No, God put him there to show the love of Jesus!
Inspiring Story Of Compassion On A Plane -- A Special Purpose
Dan is the kind of guy that notices a stranger in church and invites them into his friend group. And that's exactly why God put him on this flight!
RELATED: Flight Attendant’s Kindness Towards A Disabled Man Is Inspiring
Dan stepped up and boldly told the grieving woman she had no reason to apologize. He squeezed her elbow and offered her support. He set the example, and other passengers started joining in. Another man gave the daughter a hug. The woman appreciated Dan's compassion so much, she bowed to him in gratitude on her way off the plane.
And THAT'S why Dan was on this flight. Had things gone according to his plans, he never would have been there to bless this woman in her time of need -- to experience the blessing of being the light. It's an amazing opportunity the angry passengers missed out on because they were so focused on their plans.
James warns of this kind of arrogance in the Bible.
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." James 4:13-17
When we focus solely on what we want, it's easy to get frustrated and discouraged when those plans are interrupted. But God loves to work in the unexpected! Maybe the setbacks in your life are actually God interruptions.
Be sure to share this inspiring story of compassion on a plane with someone else, as a reminder that, while life doesn't always go according to plan, God will always succeed in His plans!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 17 True Inspirational Stories of Real-Life Overcomers
Featured Image Credit: Thinkstock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.