Entertaining Burnette

I wasn't planning on taking the 2:35 train out of Millennium Station today, but I forgot my study materials, so there was no reason for me to stay on campus. As I entered the first car, I performed my usual ritual of perusing the passengers to determine who I should sit next to in order to maximize my study time. In other words, who is least likely to BUG me?

Oooohh... this one looks promising. A middle-aged African American woman was already engaged in reading what appeared to be a work-related memo. I settled down, turned my Bible to the third chapter in Hosea, and tried to begin meditating on this remarkable picture of God's love. But my brain wasn't cooperating. "You know, it's no coincidence you're sitting here on this train at this time in this seat by this woman," my brain randomly communicated. "Maybe you should try talking to her." Maybe I should. I wonder what she's reading. That's always a good conversation starter. I glanced over and saw the Salvation Army logo at the top of her document. Hmmm. It would be pretty easy to strike up a conversation about that... but I have so much reading to get done. And Hosea is one of my favorite books. It's only a 50-minute train ride. Maybe I can get through all 14 chapters. I refocused.

Then a nudge came from the woman sitting next to me. "Excuse me. What are you reading?"
"Hosea," I said.
"What's that? What do you mean 'Hosea?'"
"It's my Bible. I'm reading Hosea."
"And what's that mean to you?"
"It's a love story. It's a story about God's relationship with Israel, but even more, it's a story about me. It's a story about my relationship with God, my unfaithfulness, and his loving kindness to forgive and bring me back to him."

And that was how my conversation with Burnette began. For the next 40 minutes, she spoke passionately and eloquently of the loving God whom we both serve. At one point during our conversation, I literally thought to myself, "Is it possible that this beautiful Christian woman is actually an angel from God?" I struggled to recall the verse that speaks about "entertaining angels" (then my ADD mind took me to a DC Talk song titled after this verse before bringing me back to my original thought... what is that verse... Hmmm... anyway...). Burnette's joy, humility, passion, and love were infectious. She was a light. She recalled Scripture like no one I've met, and she naturally wove it into the conversation. By themselves, these things were very impressive. Coupled with her circumstances they were awe-inspiring.

Burnette never took the 2:35 train before today. She couldn't. She worked until 3. Today was different though. Today Burnette was informed that it was her last day at work. She was dismissed after lunch. With the loss of her job still fresh in her mind and with an acute awareness of her husband's present unemployment, Burnette took 40 minutes to encourage me that GOD IS FAITHFUL. She's not worried about paying the bills because God blesses her every time as long as she stays in His will. During the course of our conversation, she paused several times to thank and praise God that He already had her next "assignment" lined up. "He's come through for me every time in the past, and this time will be no different," she said enthusiastically. "And He'll do the same for you! He's so faithful!" And this wonderful conversation continued...

There is so much more I could share with you about my encounter with Burnette. What a beautiful, inspiring woman! When I stepped on that train, I was looking forward to meditating on one of the great books of the Bible, but God had something even better lined up for me. Burnette brought me a message from God today:

"God is faithful! You can trust Him to come through for you!"
"No matter where you are, job or no job, you are ALWAYS on assignment for the Lord!"

I won't forget the message she carried, and I won't forget her.

Thank you Burnette for turning an ordinary commute into a heart-softening encounter with God. May God continue to bless you and your husband. And may He continue to show Himself so powerfully in your life as you witness about His greatness. I'm grateful He put you on assignment on Eastbound Train 109 this Tuesday at 2:35pm. Love, peace, and blessings!


"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)