It is what it is – Commentary April 1, 2026 – Jen Brien

by Jennifer Brien, commentary, contributing writer

The Shift at Terminal 3

​The airport at 2:00 AM is where the lonely go to wait.

​Maya sat on her rolling suitcase near the empty baggage claim, nursing a lukewarm energy drink. Her phone screen was a mess of angry texts from her ex and notifications about her bank account being overdrawn. She felt exposed, exhausted, and incredibly invisible.

​Then, a guy sat down a few seats away. He didn’t look like much—just a guy in a faded denim jacket and worn-out sneakers, holding a paper cup of terrible airport coffee.

​”Rough night?” he asked. His voice was calm, cutting right through the hum of the conveyor belts.

​Maya tightened her grip on her phone. “Just waiting for a ride that’s probably not coming.”

​”I know the feeling,” he said, offering a small, lopsided smile. “Waiting for something that actually delivers what it promises is hard to find around here.”

​Maya scoffed gently. “Story of my life. I keep picking the wrong things, the wrong people, hoping they’ll finally make me feel like I’m not running on empty.”

​The guy looked at her. Not a creepy look, and not a look of pity. It was the kind of look that made Maya feel like she was the only person in the entire airport.

​”What if you didn’t have to keep running?” he said quietly. “What if there was a source of peace that didn’t depend on your bank account, your relationship status, or how many times you’ve messed up? A kind of ‘living water’ for your soul, so you’d never feel this empty again?”

​Maya felt a lump in her throat. “That sounds like a nice fairy tale. But you don’t know my history. I’ve burned a lot of bridges.”

​”I know,” he said softly. He didn’t list her mistakes to shame her; he just acknowledged them, like facts on a map. “I know about the three toxic exes. I know about the apartment you lost last month. I know how tired you are of pretending you have it all together.”

​Maya froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs. “Who are you? How do you know that?”

​”I know you, Maya. I’ve always known you,” he said, standing up. He set his coffee cup down and looked at her with an overwhelming amount of warmth. “And I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to tell you that you are seen, you are loved, and your ride is finally here.”

​He didn’t point to a car outside. He pointed to his own heart.

​As a group of noisy travelers rounded the corner, breaking the silence, Maya blinked. The man in the denim jacket was walking toward the exit, looking back over his shoulder with a smile that promised everything she had ever been searching for. For the first time in years, Maya didn’t feel invisible at all.

Jesus knows exactly who YOU are… and he still loves you. He sees you and you matter to him. Never ever forget that. You… ARE NEVER alone. He is right beside you.

Happy Easter. Friday is a tough day for me and so many of you… but SUNDAY is coming.

SUNDAY IS COMING.

Till next week,

Jen

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P.S. Join us on my podcast “SPLITTIN THE ATOMâ€- Don’t miss it folks!   EYE OPENING STUFF

Go to:   oceanstatecurrent.com – 3pm THURSDAYS!

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Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine  Unit.

To read more columns and commentary by Jen, go here: https://2×8.ea2.myftpupload.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/