Flight Frustrations!!

I imagine that each one of you has an airport story.  Although I haven’t flown lately, I have had my share of flight frustrations! 

The one that really stands out the most happened many years ago.  It is one of my “divine intervention” stories.  I look back and can see how God was making this work in my favor.

I was taking a flight to New Orleans to visit an old musician friend and had left my purse with my tickets, money etc. at home. No internet or cell phones in those days.  I sent Bob home to bring the purse to the airport while I stayed there.  

 It was just about boarding time, and I was in a stew!  Would I miss my flight?  How would I reach my friend who would be waiting for me at the other end? 

As I was pacing back and forth, a man and his little boy appeared in front of me.  He told me face to face……….”It will be alright!”  What made him say that?  I never had met this man.  When I turned around, he and his child were nowhere in sight.   It was strange to me at the time but thinking back, perhaps angels come in all shapes and sizes!

Bob arrived in time with the  purse and I boarded the flight on time! 

Another story

We were in Denver for Bob’s sister’s 70^th birthday.  It was a big family thing and Denver was central to where we could all gather.  I had made flight reservations for our departure at 8:30 AM (I thought) the next day after we had all celebrated together.   We were living in El Paso at that time. 

We arrived at the airport and began checking our bags.  The man said, “You are a bit early for this flight, aren’t you?”  I had made the reservations for 8:30 PM not 8:30 AM!!

At that time the Denver airport was in the middle of nowhere and what would we do for the next 12 hours?  The man told us there was a flight leaving for El Paso, but  it would be boarding within the next 35 minutes.  That meant we had to go through security and find the gate. This was no small feat.  Our gate was at the other end of the long airport and down two flights of stairs……….then more walking.

We hurriedly got through security and found the gate. People were standing in line waiting to board. I told the hostess our problem.  She said that there was a chance of a “no show” but five people were already on the wait list.  I told her I would take the toilet seat! She laughed and said that it was already taken!

When the flight was ready to board, they called our name!  We were able to get a seat and a safe flight to El Paso. 

While pondering on this, I found myself becoming more relaxed and actually quite serene about the whole frustrating experience. Yes, we must do our part; we must give it our best shot. But beyond that, it’s God’s department.

If we can develop this attitude — and, believe me, I also need to develop it further — we will all be better able to cope with the disappointments we so often face in life.  It’s all in His hands.

So even if nothing amazing occurred, I became far more aware that God, and not I, is the controller of this universe.

                           The famous Serenity Prayer is quite appropriate.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference…”

May all your journeys be safe and successful and may you get to your destinations on time. And even if you don’t, don’t sweat it.

He is in charge.