The other day, my friend Justin was on a Southwest flight. The plane was wide open — rows and rows of empty seats. The flight attendant even said, “Sit wherever you want, there’s plenty of room!”

But the girl in front of him? She walked right past all that open space… and plopped herself down in the middle seat between two strangers. On purpose. 👀

I mean, we’ve all seen some interesting travel choices, but this one takes the bag of mini-pretzels!

And yet… I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Because sometimes I do that too.

I could choose wide open space — freedom, breathing room, margin — but instead, I wedge myself right in the middle of crowded schedules, crowded thoughts, crowded everything. Anyone else?

Here’s the sweet part: even in the “middle seat seasons,” God doesn’t leave us squished. He makes room for us. He gives peace when life feels tight. He reminds us that there’s always space with Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

So here’s to the girl in the middle seat. May she remind us all to look around, breathe deep, and maybe… scoot over into the open space God’s already made for us.