Is there any more true test of being able to wing it than traveling at the holidays?
Boy have I been tested today. Now, I don’t really travel much; especially by plane. But, earlier this year my mom and stepdad moved out to Albuquerque, NM. So for the holidays, I am traveling to spend two weeks with them and my stepbrother.
My first flight was supposed to leave at 7am this morning. Currently, I am still at the Cincinnati Airport waiting on my now, 3:30pm flight to Houston where I will catch my final flight to Albuquerque. But today has been actually really good and interesting.
When I first arrived at my original flights gate, I sat down across from a young mother and her daughter. Still half asleep I quietly ate my breakfast, laughing at the little girl talking to everyone around us. It was not long before we received the first notice that our flight was going to be delayed. This sparked the mother and me to chat about if we would make our connections and where our final destinations were The more the flight was getting delayed the more stressed we started to become. That is when the little girl walked over to me and said: “Don’t worry, we will get there.” How right was this maybe 4 year old girl? I had all day to get there, it would be okay.
A little while after that it was apparent that no one was going to make their connecting flights, the mother and her daughter decided to cancel their plans for the day and try again tomorrow. I, on the other hand, determined to still make it, got in line to see what other connecting flights the ticket agent could help me find. After standing in line for a while I struck up a conversation with two older gentlemen behind me. We were talking about where we were traveling to and out holiday plans. Laughing each time the flight got delayed more. One of the guys told me about his trip to Jerusalem and beauty he found visiting some of the holiest sites in the world. This was my first sign of maybe there was a reason this flight wasn’t going to plan.
As we got closer to the desk agent the two started talking about their faith and their relationships with God. They are both pastors at their local churches a few hours away from Cincinnati. They were mentioning the battle they have been facing with younger generations questioning faith and God. As someone who is recently getting back on the path with God what they were saying spoke to me. A month ago I started back on my path to God after feeling like something was missing in my life. I spoke to these two gentlemen about how I found the church that worked for me and my faith. Talked to them about what attracted me back and that all we can really do is keep putting our arms out to others and they will come on their own terms.
These conversations reminded me so much of the first service that I went to at 7 Hills. How once you accept God back in your life you will begin to feel whole again. It is not a perfect process, it is not an easy fix. But its the most rewarding thing when you realize that God is the bread of life and with him, you will never feel empty. Talking with these two I had a sense of calm, I could have gotten upset, my plans were ruined, who knows if I was going to make it to my moms today. But, talking with them it helped me remember it is all part of a plan. It may not be my plan and I may not like it but there was a reason that plane did not take off at 7am, and I am grateful.
It has not been easy to stay positive today. I am on my third and hopefully final flight plan. I will not be getting in until almost 9pm New Mexico time, but I am trying. I mean, I am REALLY early for my 3:30pm flight right? I had my patience put to the test today. But, I will shortly be on my way and with family tonight. I had the chance to talk to some amazing people while waiting for this flight and am so grateful for that.
So remember, It’s okay if plans go off course, you will get there. It may take a little longer. You may have to sleep on a really uncomfortable airport floor for a nap. But you will get there and everything will be okay.
I’ll leave you with a cute picture of my furbaby Chris Keller from his Christmas Photoshoot this past weekend. Not sure if he loves or hates the stuff I rope him into.
Winging Life 