What Two Nuns On A Plane Taught Me About The Power Of Synchronicity

A few years ago, I was on a small commuter plane during a brief flight from Chicago to Peoria. We were jammed in so tightly that I had to check my computer bag. Two cherub-faced nuns in full habit regalia passed my seat giggling and sat down within arm's reach just one row behind me. I smiled warmly at them and wondered how their journey had led them to Peoria, Illinois, of all places.

I settled into my seat, happy to have a small coloring book stashed in my purse for just such occasions. I thumbed through the pages looking for a picture that spoke to me with just the right inspiration for the 25-minute flight and chose an image of a delightful girl riding a bicycle whose countenance was full of joy. Next to her feet was inscribed a verse from Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

My analytical mind judged the idea to be ridiculous. What in the world would they think of me? The self-conscious scientist in me dug in her heels and tried to ignore the thought. My intuition, the faith-filled, trusting, spontaneous part of me, was delighted with the idea but was soon overpowered by the louder, more rational voice.

I let the argument recede, consumed in the therapeutic process of adding brilliant color to the picture. I colored the girl on the bicycle in a bright assortment of reds and greens and blues. I gave her golden hair and a bright smile so wide it lit up her entire face. By the time the pilot announced that we were about to descend, I was nearly finished. The voice inside spoke again, this time stronger:

Act. Give the picture to the nuns.

This reignited the argument in my head. How ridiculous! What will they think of me? Despite my self-doubt, this time I sided with my intuition. I gently tore the small four-by-six picture out of my coloring book and turned around and smiled at the sisters. I said, "Hi, my name is Jill, and I just colored this picture for you."

The sister closest to me reached out and took the picture, beaming with a huge, warm smile and a twinkle in her eye and said, "Oh my dear! Thank you!"

I could tell she was genuinely touched. A tear rolled down her cheek as she looked at the joyful girl on the bicycle and read the verse about God going with her wherever she traveled. She introduced herself as Sister Mary Rose and told me that she and Sister Cathy were flying to teach in the Montessori schools—and that the words inscribed couldn't have been any more fitting. "Sometimes travel really wears us out," she said. "We go and we go, and we serve the people we visit. We love teaching, but sometimes we get so tired, and I miss sleeping in my own bed."

I told her that I often felt the same way about my work as a doctor.

As I was walking through the airport, Sister Mary Rose asked me what kind of medicine I practiced. I softly said, "I am sure you haven't heard of it. I did my training in family medicine, but I now seek to find the root cause of disease in patients with complex chronic illness who have struggled to find answers in the current medical system. It's called functional medicine."

"Oh my!" she squealed. "I love functional medicine. I have been working with a practitioner near the monastery!"

Now it was my turn to smile. Even though functional medicine is changing the landscape of medicine, many people have never heard the term before. I handed her my card and said, "Well, if you ever need anything, will you please call me?"

We walked off the plane laughing like schoolchildren. I felt as if I were surrounded by angels. When my mother and father saw me walking out of the gate flanked on the right and left by the beautiful, beaming pair of nuns in their striking black-and-white habits, they joined in the laughter. We hugged and went our separate ways, but I felt like it wouldn't be the last time I'd talk to the Sisters.

Wait for the miracle.

I believed the voice of intuition and acted upon it, even though my intellect told me the idea was foolish, resulting in an unexpected miracle. Let me take a minute to define the word miracle lest your first thought be, Well, that's fine for you, but what about me? I don't even believe in God!

According to Webster's dictionary, a miracle is "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." But if we look at the second part of the definition, it includes "an extremely outstanding or unusual thing, event, or accomplishment." Whether you want to call it a miracle, as I do, or just an outstanding, unexpected opportunity, either way it rings true!

The process of trusting my intuition and acting on it broke down barriers between Sister Mary Rose's habit and my jeans and T-shirt.

What we were wearing didn't matter: We were sisters serving a higher purpose, each of us weary and in need of encouragement. Some of the most unexpected friendships that help us on our journey come from believing, acting, and expecting beautiful things to happen as a result. As I worked with Sister Mary Rose to help her solve her health problems, I was reminded of this simple but powerful formula that has allowed me to witness amazing opportunities and unexpected miracles throughout my life.

Believe in what is possible.

Take action.

Wait for the opportunity; wait for the miracle.