Delay

My flight home from New York, after visiting Tom and Rebecka, was scheduled for 6:30 pm on a Thursday night. I love public transportation and am a sucker for a good deal, so I took the subway to Penn Station, then the train to Newark, and after the security hoops I was seated by 5:00.
No baggage check, just a carry on and a tote and I was ready and waiting...for the boarding call. The delays, due to bad weather in Baltimore, began about 5:15 and were extended every 30 minutes or so and finally by 9:00, the call was made to cancel the flight. The next available one was the next day at this same time. Mel and I had made plans to leave for Austin that following morning so I scrambled to figure out my next move. I had two options; retrace my earlier steps and return back to the apt in NY, or catch the last plane out of Newark leaving for Chicago at 9:30 that same night and catch a 6:00 am flight the following morning to Houston.

There was murmuring among a bunch of us as to what to do but we had to move fast if we were to connect. About 30 of the Houston bound passengers took the Chicago bait. It is strange phenomenum how perfect strangers seem to bond when in the midst of unexpected chaos. This was one of those times.

There were several of us in line together making jokes and trying to make the most of this detour and I became fast friends with one girl who was in line behind me. She had come directly from work and was in a short shirt and a button down blouse. She was about my size and much younger than I, and was going to Houston to visit her parents. Her last words to the airline rep were "since you all will not provide us with accommodations or monetary adjustments, could you find me some sweat pants?" We all laughed. He was truly sorry fro our inconvenience but there was nothing he could do except get us a spot on the Chicago bound plane. There were about four of us who scurried together to board but our seats were all scattered. When we arrived in Chicago, which was about midnight, (we sat on the tarmac for an hour or so) we met again, and discussed strategy. It was too late for any of us to get a hotel room, so we would all find a place to camp out at the Midway Airport and wait till morning.

Sareta, my friend was dreadfully uncomfortable and cold. I can't believe I did this but I said, I have pajamas that kind of look like sweat pants and a waffle tee shirt that I had taken to NY for my all nighters...you want them for the night! She didn't hesitate for a minute, she was freezing and jumped all over that offer. I unpacked them from my carry on and she changed clothes in the bathroom and was tickled to be warm and comfy. While she was changing, another new friend was scoping out any eateries that might be opened and then we all went to his newfound spot for coffee and muffins. The night was filled with surprises and adventure but one of my favorite ones was when another one of our pack went walking around the terminal only to report that the airport had set up cots that had blankets and pillows in the next terminal for stranded passengers. He said come on, I will set my phone alarm and at least we can catch a couple of hours of sleep there instead of cramped in a chair. Our curiosity took over and we followed him to his scouted destination. Sure enough there were over 100 cots set up and hardly anyone using them, and fresh blankets and pillows on each. We scattered and fell into a great sleep until the airport foreman began ringing his bell at 4:00 am as a wake up call. They apparently only keep the cots set up overnight and began retrieving them again early before morning passengers begin their descent. We were glad for the few hours.

We will most likely never cross paths again, but for that one night for that one adventure, we were all together helping one another. Race and culture and age were not a diving factor. And we were all forced to deal with the same unexpected circumstance. Each of us have trials and potholes and unexpected circumstances that throw our routine lives off course. But God has told us that we do not have to ever go about life alone. He remains steadfast to his word and he stands by us on all fronts. It may be an unexpected situation to us but God has allowed for it and God will provide for us as we go through it. Whether we need wisdom, encouragement, support, comfort, courage, strength, provisions, grace, peace or even forgiveness....he is there to guide us and help us through anything that comes our way. And he uses each of us to be his eyes and ears and hands to help others. Nothing is unexpected in the eyes of God. Life is an adventure, one moment after another. If only we can manage to stay focus on what we know to be true about God and his word, we will be able to accept the flights that are before us in stride, in time and in trust!

I was reminded of two things on this adventure.
One: be flexible whatever the circumstance. God is in charge. He will provide for my needs in ways that I can many times not imagine.
Two: It is not good to be an island and isolated. We all need a little help from our friends, be they new ones are old. God is all about relationships and we are placed on this earth to help each other and to be with others.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.

The thing about adventures is you have to try to keep moving forward. Oh sure, we might have to backtrack a little and overcome an obstacle here and there but as long as we keep our eyes focused on our goal, which is to live life doing our best for others and trusting God with our own, he will see us through. My pajamas were returned before we left Chicago, I had put on a fresh face and changed my shirt and all was well. We boarded at 6:00 am as planned and did make it to Houston by 8:30. What a night! What an adventure! And God was with us the whole way, just as he is with you on your adventures.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving me opportunities through unexpected times to see how you operate. For you are always watching over each of our situations and are faithful to provide us with the needs that we have for that time. May my trust and dependence upon you, and faith in you grow stronger each day. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!