No one plans on being disappointed. No one plans to be frustrated or stressed.
I have just celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends — that, my dear friends, was NOT disappointing at all. It was fabulous!
The week before Thanksgiving, however, my flight was delayed to the point of missing all the connecting flights to Colorado Springs. After a very productive trip to St. Louis, I was eager to get home and prepare for having my mother visit for two weeks and I was disappointed that I missed the last flight home.
Denver connections are always unpredictable in the winter, and I wasn’t expecting this snowstorm. But my Lord knew. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8–9).
As I deplaned in Denver (five hours past the scheduled arrival time), I asked the attendant at the gate if I had missed the last flight because many of the connecting flights were also delayed (I still had hoped to catch that last flight, but it was not to be). It was almost 11 p.m. and my travel agent had already booked me on an 8 a.m. flight the next morning. I love my travel agent! It was time to decide what to do. The roads were … not good and, if you have been to the Denver airport, you may be aware there is not a cluster of hotels in the immediate area. There is a hotel at the airport, but the rooms started at $600/night. So, I made the decision to just sleep in the terminal. It would be an adventure, right?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7).
I took stock of my assets — half of a Twix candy bar, a bottle of water, my carry-on, purse, and my winter coat. I was in good shape. I headed to the Southwest Airlines terminal — I knew they had couches instead of individual seats with armrests between each seat. I found a nice place with room to lie down, used my carry-on as a pillow, ate my Twix, drank my water, put on my coat, and laid down. The announcements for many delayed flights continued over the loudspeakers. The lights were bright and sleep eluded me. I opened by suitcase, found a pair of black slacks and wrapped them about my head. I wish I could have taken a photo — I’m sure I looked very classy! Eventually, I fell asleep.
I woke at 4:30 a.m. to a very busy terminal. I collected my belongings and freshened up in the restroom. I made my way to my gate and was delighted that one vendor was open, and the coffee was hot. My 8 a.m. flight was delayed until 9:30 a.m. and my car, in the long-term parking lot in Colorado Springs, was covered with 6 inches of heavy snow. I was tired but frustration had never really taken hold.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55:22).
Through this whole experience, I did not see one person shout at another. I saw disappointed passengers and tired airline personnel dealing with inevitable delays respectfully, if not cheerfully.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Disappointment is not meant to define us. It is not meant to hold us hostage or weigh us down into the mire of frustration. An interruption in our plans allows us to look to God and seek His will — and His peace!
Experiencing disappointment allows us to go to the Savior, tell Him of our situation (even though He already knows!), and ask Him to solve the problem or give us patience. Do I always do this? NO! But I find great comfort in Scripture verses that enter my mind and heart in times where my plans were not His plans.
When I arrived home, Scott and I sat down with a cup of coffee, and we decided we may never know why I was “blessed” to spend the night in the Denver airport. I may have avoided a terrible car accident coming over the mountain pass, I may have allowed someone to catch that last flight that really needed to get home, or God may have wanted me to visit with the man in the line for coffee where I shared my experience and my faith. Only God knows, and that’s good enough for me.
Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie
