Saturday as Joel took me to the airport I told him that I was praying that someone from Biola would be on one of my flights. I prayed this just in hopes to have somone with something in common with me in order to not make the travel rush during Christmas season seem so exhausting and overwhelming. There are times where I get traveling anxiety as well, and I begin to think of everything that could possibly go wrong on an airplane. The prayer was quick and simple, and as soon as I entered the airport I forgot my small prayer and hurried through security to get to my gate. I eventually made it to my gate, where the closest I got to anyone from Biola was seeing a girl which I have only seen around campus. I introduced myself to her and told her to have a good Christmas as they called my flight for a gate change. I was content with my small passing by of a fellow Biolan and went on my way, not expecting to see anymore familiar faces.
When I arrived at my new gate, my festive "Feliz Navidog" sweater caught the attention of a woman who was holidng two small dogs. She aknowledged my sweater and I went to pet her dogs. We learned that we were on the same flight so I set next to her. She was a younger woman, mid-thirties, from California. Her friend who was with her informed me that she was pretty wealthy for her age. They both told me they knew where Biola was, and despite what seemed like our oppisite lifestyles, they genuinely said "good for me." I helped them out with their dogs and in return they bought me a water and saved me a seat next to them on our flight to Vegas. God ordained airport meeting number 1. I made it to Vegas only a few minutes delayed, and went to my gate where I learned that my flight to Midland was delayed for four hours. I waited and waited, until finally I learned that my flight had been canceled due to the weather. Used to constant delays, I made my way over to customer service to figure out my new route home. I kept in good spirits and remained optimistic. Not remembering the simple prayer I had said six hours earlier, I struck up a conversation with a woman, who stood next to me in line. She asked me if I was coming home from school, and told her I was. She asked me from which school and ready to explain where and what Biola was, I was struck with shock as she told me that she had literally just graduated from, you probably won't beleive it, but yes she graduated the day before with a Masters in Christian Apologetics from Biola Univeresity. WHAT??!?!? Having tons to talk about, I learned that she was from Midland as well, and she was the mom to girls who are my age. Natrually, I gained a mom during my journey, which is NEVER a bad thing; especially if your flight is redirected to Phoenix and you are stuck there for the night. Because of this God ordained airport moment I had a place to stay, someone to talk to that I could relate to, and someone to take care of me as I traveled city to city just trying to get back home. God's providence came in the form of a stranger who also happened to be the answer to my simple prayer. I have found in the moments of stress or in the midst of unfavorable circumstances, if you choose to be optimistic and if you choose to be thankful and remember that joy comes from Jesus even in the moments when the rest of the world would not be able to find the slightest ounce of happiness, you are sure to see and recoginize all the work God is doing around you. Paul teaches us this when he and Silas are wrongly accused, beaten, and thrown in prison in Acts 16. In the midst of their unfavorable and uncomfortable situation, Paul and Silas are still singing worship songs and praying in their prison cell, being content and thankful, even in the worst of situations. They are resting in the presence of their God whom they know will provide for them and take care of them. We should follow that example even in the smallest, most stressful situations that we find ourselves in. It is when we become pessimistic and develop a negative, unthankful attitude that we miss seeing God work and we could even miss the answers to our smallest prayers. If I chose to be closed off and negative while I stood in line at customer service, I might have never paid attention to the women next to me who was singing along to a Christmas song that was playing in the airport. It was her positive, Christ-like spirit, which made me feel like I was not alone as I ventured through airports, and it was this God-ordained moment where I gained my Biola big sis, Lorie. Finally as we stood and talked to the lady who worked with missing luggage at Midland's airport, trying to find our luggage, we learned that this lady working IN THE MIDLAND AIPORT ( I repeat: WE ARE IN MIDLAND NOW PEOPLE) grew up on Biola Ave (I REPEAT SHE GREW UP ON BIOLA AVE). This lady who grew up on Biola Ave, was now working in the Midland Aiport having a conversation with a Biola Graduate and a current Biola undergrad. HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN?!?! ONLY BECAUSE GOD IS ALMIGHTY AND FAITHFUL. I have seen God's providence in my life more than one time this past semester. I believe He is the God of miracles and a God who equips us with what we need to help expand His Kingdom. I believe that He hears and answers our prayers, even when we forget that we have even prayed them. One thing I have learned from this all is that I should be specific when I pray. Instead of just praying that I get to Midland safely, I should add "safely and on time." ;) THANK YOU JESUS FOR BEING MY LIGHT AS I WANDER BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS AND IN ALL THE MOMENTS IN BETWEEN.
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AuthorJust a flawed, broken human being faithfully trying to serve a perfect Savior. Archives
April 2020
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