Airport Opportunites

It’s amazing how God works the smallest things to be an amazing blessing. I've been learning that through this 100 day challenged, although I haven't been blogging about it. :P

I recently had a trip planned to Salt Lake City and it was quite the adventure! I got to my local airport at 4am to try to get on the first flight. I always fly standby which means I have to wait until there is a flight with an empty seat. So, I got there at 4am for the 5am flight. It was oversold, as was the 7am, 9am, and 11am flights. As each flight passed, my spirits got lower, and the other people on the standby list gradually gave up. Finally I was the first on the list and the 1pm flight came and I got the very last seat on the plane!

I made it to Minneapolis and arrived in a B gate. I knew I missed all the early flights to Salt Lake City, so I went to the G gate (on the opposite side of the airport) for the 5pm flight. I didn’t get the flight. I then made the quick decision to fly to my sister’s for the night, even though it cost me even more. This meant that I had to walk to the C terminal (back to the opposite side of the airport) to get to that gate.

I was almost to my gate when I stopped at a coffee shop for a treat.  The barista and I started to chat about my day and the flights. Eventually, he asked me if I have any kids! Dependent on the situation, I have two answers: “No.” or “two in heaven.”  I chose the latter option. You could see the realization of what I meant crossing his face.

What was amazing is how my one answer spurred an hour long conversation about God, religion, philosophy, and the gifts that God gives us. It was such a blessing for me to have that conversation and see how God is using the small circumstances to make a difference in someone’s day. If I had gotten on any of the earlier flights to Minneapolis, I would not have been there in that place and time and had such a great talk. And God is using the trials in my past in order to bring Himself into my conversations.

I know God had me there to talk to this guy specifically because as soon as we stopped talking, they changed my C gate back to a G gate!! So I had the pleasure of walking the length of the airport twice in one day.

I am just so thankful that God is planning my steps and giving me opportunities to be a blessing to others.

100 Day Challenge – Day 3

Lately I have been struggling with the big “Why?” Why do godly people get hurt? Why do plans go awry? Why is there tension among the body of Christ? Why do we experience loss? Why does God give good things to people who don’t love Him and don’t want His gifts, but doesn’t give the same good things to people who do love Him and would cherish His gifts? It has been a struggle in which I’ve almost felt betrayed by God. The overwhelming question of “Why does God let bad things happen?”

In several conversations I’ve had lately I’ve been given little tidbits of wisdom, maybe even a couple of answers to my questions.  Why do godly people get hurt? Could it be that God is allowing this trial in their life to draw them closer to Himself. I think of Job and horrible turn his life took and yet in the midst of his desolation he was praising the Lord for the things he had already received.  And then there is the passage “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose”. It doesn’t say all things are good, but that all things work together for good.  Maybe God is allowing this trouble and will give them a testimony from it.

Why do plans go awry? Well, maybe God’s plan is better!  I’m learning that God knows me better than I know myself and maybe He doesn’t give me everything I want because He knows that’s not really what I need. (For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future. – Jer. 29:11)

Why is there tension amongst the body of Christ? Maybe this is our God-given opportunity to learn and grow in unity by expressing humility.  Maybe this is our chance to take a step back and listen to one another and dive deep into what is causing the issue. I was fortunate to see this theory in action recently and man was it a blessing to see a disastrous situation turn into an edifying situation.

Why are gifts given where they aren’t wanted? Maybe it’s because God is going to use that gift to turn lives around. Maybe that gift is going to be such a huge blessing in that person’s life that they will never be the same. Maybe that gift is going to open new doors of opportunity. And really, maybe I just don’t need to know why that gift was given, because it’s not really any of my business.

Why do we experience loss? I don’t think there’s one good answer for any of these questions really, but the first thing that comes to mind for this is that in our suffering we can be a witness for Christ. In our pain we can be comfort to others walking our same path. So that we can learn not to rely on ourselves for our strength but to lean upon one who is greater. So we can stop with our busyness and thank God for the blessings we’ve received.

I’ve started a challenge. Air1 talked about doing a 100 day challenge and I decided to join them. Their only guideline was doing something purposefully every day for 100 days. I decided to keep a journal of gratefulness. I want to write at least one thing each day.  So I’m writing down things that I’m grateful for in that moment. Some are simple and even silly, but I believe the more I focus on having a thankful heart the happier I will be. How can my spirit not be encouraged when God is showing me His works in even the most minute way. I want to get away from asking God “why?” and get to a place of say “thanks for what I do have”.  I’m going to try to make Thursday the day I post about something I’ve been grateful for in the last week.  I welcome you to join me on this journey towards having a thankful heart.