Leaving on a Jet Plane

I arrived at the airport in plenty of time for my flight… 90 minutes early.  I had checked in online so all I needed to do was drop off my bags and I would be on my way.

I took my time in the airport, wandering through the shops and people watching.  Forty minutes before my departure time, I strolled leisurely toward security.  The line stretched out through the doors and spilled into the mezzanine.

The line really did move at a reasonable rate.  I chafed somewhat as I shuffled down the funnel – herded like sheep along with the rest of the passengers.

Anyone who has flown, and even many who have not, is well aware of the stringent rules governing the transportation of liquids and the variety of restricted items.  Person by person,  passengers were passed through the gates.

As I succeeded in reaching the front of the line, the CATSA agent ushered me forward to a mat – it scanned something – and displayed an arrow indicating the lines on the left or the one on the right.  My arrow pointed… right.  I glanced at the clock and sighed as I looked at the procession of searches going on in front of me.

In agonizing slowness, the carry on bags ahead of mine slid millimeter by millimeter through the x-ray machines.  The longer I waited, the more I fidgeted.  This was definitely not my timetable.

Finally, loaded on the airplane, I searched the overhead compartments for a nook or cranny to stuff my bag and at last settled into my seat.

As I waited for take off, I listened to the voices around me.  Some were comforting young ones, some were visiting, many were grumbling.

It struck me as interesting how little has changed since Moses and the Israelites made their way through the wilderness.  It seemed on reflection, that very little discouragement was able to produce significant results.

In the desert, despite every need being met, the people chaffed and pouted when things didn’t progress on their time table.

After arriving safely in Newfoundland, I had a full day to window shop and enjoy my time before the conference.  In the Friday, morning of the conference, I learned that due to the fog, planes from Nova Scotia were not being allowed to land.

God allowed me to wait on Thursday so I could think about my attitude.  He allowed me to fly on Thursday so I wouldn’t miss the conference and He gave me Israel’s example so I could see that waiting on Him and trusting His timing is something I will always have to do.

Psalm 119:166
I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands.

Similar Posts

One Comment

Comments are closed.