Long story short, due to a discrepancy with the time of our flight
departure, we arrived at the airport too late to go through security or
check in our bags. We had missed our flight! There’s nothing like seeing that pop
up on the check in screen. I think Victoria and I just stood there gaping for
what seemed like an eternity but was really only about 2 minutes. Picture mouths wide open and holding up the line, with everything going in slow motion. Stunned, we
managed to move our luggage over to wait for Mrs. Stringer to bring the car back around. Later,
we both admitted that we both came close to tearing up but restrained
ourselves. Later, when we talked to both Mr. Stringer and my Dad, they both
said, “you SHOULD have cried! Tears are a great bargaining power!”
Galen broke the news to Mrs. Stringer, and she tried to see
if anything could be done. With nothing to do but schedule a flight for the
same time the next day, the disappointed travelers piled back into the car for another 2 ½ hour drive back
home.
But, you know what? I am glad that this happened.
Why?
Because this experience is growing me SO much as a
Christian.
Last week I was praying about a specific circumstance and I
was convicted that I wanted things to go just as I had planned, and was controlling them to that end. I prayed, “God,
I give up. I desire your will in this. You know what, while I’m at it, I also truly
desire your will for every area of my life! Let your will be done!”
His will is better than anything we can devise on our own
mental intellect.
But, the clincher is:
Do I really desire God’s will, even when it is hard,
not expected, or what I have planned on my own little agenda? Even when it
doesn’t make sense and we don’t understand why?
We had also been praying for a fruitful trip and a growing experience
for all of us, personally and spiritually. I think that so far, it has been a
success on that front!
Now, on to things I’ve learned so far:
- It is possible to still be content in very disappointing circumstances. (Romans 8:28)
- Panera’s salads are really fabulous. And the tea there is delicious too.
- My brother is an extremely funny guy. I mean, I knew he was funny, but he regaled us with stories and such on the way back home. We laughed a lot, and it really helped keep our minds off the fact that we missed our flight.
- Be nice to the people at the airport. They control your destiny (or is it…. your destination.)
- You are practically invincible when you lean back and trust God!
So, Lord willing, we will leave Charlotte at 7:05 tonight. I can guarantee,
with no level of uncertainty, that we will be the first people on that plane. :)
I just hope that customs won’t mind an exuberant happy dance
from a certain crazy American when we finally arrive. Too bad if they do, because I'm still doing it.
