Things happen for a reason
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
I discovered Tuesday that it is easy to get spitting mad when you’re on an airplane and things aren’t going your way.
But would it really be productive to get upset over circumstances?
I was flying home from Washington after a visit to my parents’ home. Airports can be a stressful place. I arrived at the airport about 45 minutes before my flight, which is way too late.
But I got a late start because I had to make a batch of salsa for my folks before I left. The jalapeno heat was just right with this one.
Anyhow, the security check line snaked around three rows, so I got a little nervous. It turned out I had nothing to fret over. I arrived at my gate before boarding occurred.
I thought I could relax. However, the fun was just beginning. The plane experienced technical issues on two occasions, resulting in a 2.5 hour delay. That meant there was no way I could catch my connecting flight in Dallas.
Some people were very, very upset with the airline. At this moment, I was glad about my relationship with God.
It would be easy to get caught up in the moment and let anger and stress take over.
I observed and listened to people sitting around me on the plane. Some used choice and sharp words to the airline attendants and others.
The delays came in waves. First it was a half hour and then the pilot announced the plane was cleared after mechanical work. But the pilot got on a few minutes later and informed the red light was still on, which required an additional check from mechanics.
The delay was now getting to the point that my connector flight was in jeopardy.
Then the plane had to be refueled. At that point, I knew my 9 p.m. connector flight was out of the question.
What would I do?
Would I yell at someone? Would I make a fuss with the airline? Those thoughts begin to well up within. The stress attempted to mount.
But I’m glad that God can get a hold of me in these situations and make me remember that He is in control and the best response is cool, calm and collected.
My wife said, and I quote: “Maybe you will be able to minister to someone.”
In other words, there was a purpose in all of this. Maybe I could help someone.
The Bible helps us in all kinds of situations we find ourselves in. In this instance – when anger wants to come out because of a delay and missing a flight – God brought a certain verse to mind.
It is found in Proverbs 25, specifically verse 28 (the last of the chapter), which states, “He that hath no control over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
At that point, I thought, “Hmm, maybe I’ll just roll with all of this.”
God has a reason for it. I’ll just go along for the ride. I wondered about where I would stay and what I would eat on Tuesday night.
When we finally arrived at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, and my connector flight was gone, the lady at the gate told me to go to Gate 20 for information.
I went to Gate 20 and nobody was there, ha-ha.
But across from Gate 20 was where most of the people from my flight were getting re-booked. That’s where I met David, a young man who perhaps strayed away from the Lord and needed a friend who could gently nudge him back in the right direction.
David flew in from El Paso and was heading to Iowa to pick up a vehicle he was going to drive back to Mexico.
The airline gave vouchers for a motel and food. It turned out David stayed in the hotel room across from mine.
Now I’m sitting in Room 273 of the Atrium Hotel & Suites in Dallas at about midnight trying to finish this column so I can get a little shuteye before getting up at 4:30 a.m. to catch my 7 a.m. flight home.
Hopefully there won’t be any delays. But if there are, it’ll all be alright.
