INSPIRASUNS

My husband and I are traveling this weekend, making our way to his 50th class reunion. When we travel I try my best to book us on direct flights, with less chance of getting stuck somewhere or delayed. Well, that didn’t work so well yesterday. Just as I was leaving work to head home and pick up my husband to head to the airport I got the first notification from the airline, delayed…like three-hour delay 😦 . Great I thought, this isn’t a good sign.

As I drove home, my phone kept binging with notifications, and by the time I got home, the flight was delayed almost another hour. We talked and I decided to see if there was a flight out this morning. Nothing… So I called the airline and spoke to a wonderful woman. I explained that I was concerned this flight would be canceled at some point. As I was looking at the flights online, I found another that was leaving just about the same time as our original, with one change of planes, and arriving around 11:00 p.m. Ok, let’s do it we decided. The agent at the other end of the line was awesome, she was so helpful and pleasant, and as we hung up she said, “Have a wonderful time this weekend”. That final touch made what was becoming a stressful situation, so much more pleasant. I think Father brings people into our lives at just the right time.

We headed to the airport and made our flight in plenty of time. We landed at our layover destination and had about an hour to wait. We walked around and people-watched. Grabbed a snack, (hadn’t eaten since breakfast), and people watched some more. Ya airports really are good for that, and yes admittedly, sometimes it’s not a good thing. The next thing I know an announcement over the loudspeaker says our gate has changed. We are literally at the other end of the concourse. OY…off we go.

We settled in at the new gate only for my phone to buzz again. Yep, you guessed it, delayed. And then…another buzz, delayed again… By the time the last buzz came it was putting us into our destination after midnight 😦 . I have to admit, we never did learn why the flights were delayed.

At this point, I’m hoping that the rental car counter is going to be open so we can get our vehicle. We boarded and off we went. It was a short flight and thankfully we landed five minutes early. Fast paced through the airport we went to meet the shuttle to the rental car facility. Ahhh, a good sign, well sort of, the shuttle was packed! Well, I thought, if they are closed we’ll all be stuck together 🙂 .

We walked to the counter upon arrival and the sign said counter closed, proceed to level 2. So, up we all went, and as the elevator doors opened, there stood a young man just waiting to help. Now mind you it is like 12:45 a.m.! He was so pleasant and began assisting the man in front of us. Not long after his co-worker pulled up with a vehicle ready to go. He offered to help the next person in line and I stepped up. He too was so pleasant, asked short questions, and literally within 3 minutes we were heading to the vehicle he had just pulled up. He gave us the drill about the car, and apologized for the “slim pickings” on options, (what we had was fine). He told us to have a great evening and to be safe driving 🙂 . The final touch made looong evening much better! Yes, Father brings people into our lives at just the right time.

We got to the hotel shortly later. My husband went inside to grab the key and he was back in the car in no time. He mentioned that there was a nice woman behind the desk that was very pleasant, and she even waived the overnight parking fee, (well it was after 1:00 a.m.). The final touch made the long day, well, it made it ok.

As I think about the events of yesterday and the kindness of so many, it just confirms that when we treat people with respect, we show kindness, we show that we care, well, we make a difference. As I’ve said many times before, our interactions with people may be the only interaction they have in a day. We never know when an interaction we have could change a person’s life.

So friends, let’s just keep in mind the power we have to make a difference just by the way we treat people. Father asks us to treat people as we would like to be treated, and as He treats us. Have a good day my friends, I’m off to find some coffee, like strong coffee!

Please continue to lift prayers for Emily Rea. The local Sheriff’s department posted an update yesterday. The search continues with so many involved. This weekend they continue to search through heavily wooded areas. Please lift Emily’s family as well in prayer that Father provides continued strength. Thank you friends.

Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.