Last Sunday morning I woke up regretting I had not chosen the first flight out. I was traveling to Lynchburg, Virginia for an intensive, all-week class and at the time I booked my travel was happy to see an afternoon flight so I could make it to church first. But that morning I felt uneasy- any delay that kept me from being there at 8am Monday would require I drop the class and reschedule. Beating myself up, I wondered why I didn’t give myself more leeway.
Turns out my premonition was not wrong. Late to leave Oklahoma City, my flight touched down in Charlotte with barely any time before my connecting flight took off. Of course, the one time I needed a flight delay, it wasn’t! The flight attendants were helpful by allowing all of us with tight connections deboard first. I made a run for it (in wedges no less) but the door at my next gate had shut.
I already knew the next (and only) flight out was not for five more hours at 10:24pm EST. I considered renting a car knowing I could be to Lynchburg before the next flight even took off, but that would be another big expense so I took the gamble and waited. My last alternative if something happened to the late night flight would then be to rent a car and drive in the wee morning hours.
A friend of a friend was supposed to pick me up at the Lynchburg airport and take me to dinner. I was looking forward to meeting her because any friend of our mutual friend I knew would also become a fast friend of mine.
Turns out I was not wrong about this either.
I texted her to let her know I missed my flight and wouldn’t arrive now until 11:30pm. I was feeling anxious about taking an Uber by myself at that time of night to the Airbnb were I was staying in Lynchburg’s historic downtown. The one other time I had stayed at an Airbnb my husband and I had fumbled around a bit with the lock and key so I was afraid I would be struggling alone, in the dark. Or, in the dark with only my Uber driver.
But you won’t believe this– my friend’s friend who I had never met told me she would still come get me! I hadn’t said a word about my fear, she just stepped into my shoes and knew.
I felt bad knowing the sacrifice she was making to drive to the airport at that time of night for a stranger. I can’t tell you though how much it calmed me as I sat waiting for my flight to know I wouldn’t be alone.
When she pulled up curbside she had a La Croix waiting for me. Not even knowing I liked La Croix, it was just one more small way God said, “I see you.”
God sees us in the midst of it all, and He does not leave us alone. For the same reason God enfleshed himself and came down to enter in to our world here.
That night everything could’ve gone as planned. Granted, an earlier night before the loooooong week ahead would’ve been nice. But had it gone according to my plan I would’ve missed God’s goodness to me in the selflessness of a new friend.
As it was God used her as an instrument of his grace. And through it, held up a mirror to my own selfish heart. Would I have done the same? I’m not so sure. I easily could’ve justified my need for sleep, my schedule and an Uber driver being just fine. That bothers me about me. I want to be more flexible and an empathetic servant to all. The fact I’m not and God moves toward me still is all the more amazing! Therefore…
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:2-8
