How God's Itinerary is Better Than the One We Booked

         Today I woke up, checked my flight status, saw that it was cancelled, and confirmed a flight that would depart three hours later. I was not sure what was going on with that and decided to trust that God had a better plan for me. I ended up at the airport for my original boarding time just to make sure my new flight wasn't cancelled too.

         I was informed that I could go be on standby for a flight that would leave in a few minutes. I ran as fast as I could and as I was putting my shoes on after the security check I heard over the loudspeaker, "Two minutes before flight to Detroit departs!" I ran even faster and got in line behind the passengers that had their boarding passes. The Holy Spirit impressed me to get in line behind everyone else instead of in front of the main desk where you negotiate flights, as a small act of faith for how God was going to get me on the plane one way or another.

        

         I calmly told the lady in charge that I was told there was a chance I could come on this flight and be on standby. She said, "Who told you that? That makes me mad! I've got a plane that needs to take off!" I said, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you upset. The person at Delta that told me I could try had a nice smile." The lady responded and said, "Let me see what I can do." Another girl came to the front desk and asked if she could come on the plane too. The lady said, "Listen, out of fairness, there isn't time for me to put you both on the plane. The doors are closing. Then on her radio to the pilot she said, flight has all passengers, ready for takeoff."

         I silently stood two feet away from the closed terminal door with both my carry-ons and had a big smile on my face. I knew that even though she was telling me everything that sounded like bad news, there was no reason to doubt that God had a way to get me on that plane, because why else would the Holy Spirit tell me to stand right in front of the terminal door and not behind the front desk? The girl that also wanted to board the plane left immediately and I was still standing there smiling. Then all of a sudden, the lady said, "I'm going to do all I can to get you on this plane. Watch that luggage truck, when it leaves I'll be out of time. As soon as I say go, you run down that terminal and sit in seat 2B!" I said, "Thank you, Ma'am. God bless you!" I ran down the terminal, sat on the plane, and in no time at all that lady who stopped the plane for me came running with the biggest smile as she handed me my connecting flight ticket that I didn’t have time to grab!

The view from my first flight 

         I was excited to see how God was going to speed up my flight from Detroit to Omaha. I thought after all, why would He make a way for me to come to Detroit early without following through with another early connecting flight? As soon as my first flight landed I walked over to the big screen that shows connecting flights. I saw two for Omaha. The first one I saw said boarding! After seeing that the gate was A31, that meant it was time to sprint! I ran through the long tunnel at what felt faster than the speed of light :) 

The long tunnel 

         I finally reached gate A31 and out of breath told the man at the desk, "I'm wondering if there is any chance I can get on this plane, could I be on standby for it perhaps?" After looking at my boarding pass he said, "You're booked for the next flight, not this one. I have two minutes till I shut this gate. I'm not even sure I can get you on, and there will be a $50 fee." I said, "That's okay. I will wait for the next flight. I'll call my dad and tell him." 

        After I hung up the phone with my dad. The man said, "Excuse me young lady, I'm going to do all I can to get you on this plane." Then he handed me my ticket without charging any fee, and he told me to RUN!  I said, “Is there anywhere I can write a recommendation for you?” Shaking his head no and with a huge smile he said, "My name is Taka. I'm always here, have a great trip!" I said, "This is a miracle! Thank you so much! God bless you!"

        

         I ran down the terminal, boarded the plane and am on my way to Omaha. There is an empty seat next to me for a reason. The flight attendant has been listening to me tell her this story and the story of my lifeguarding experience from the previous blog post. She is beaming because she sees how God makes matters marvelous! I can't stop smiling because God opened doors for me that were originally barred closed.

         To recap what just happened: 

1. After getting news that my new itinerary was taking off 3 hours later, God ended up getting me to Lincoln, NE earlier than my original 10 AM flight out of South Bend would have.

2. Two flights were stopped to get me home after both airport workers told me there wasn't any way and one told the pilot to takeoff.

3. God helped me run through the tunnel in two minutes, normally when I’ve timed it takes me twenty!

4. The Holy Spirit impressed me this morning that my flight was going to be arranged, but to trust that God had a better plan than the one I booked.

5. God honored my decision to trust Him, by standing in line without being ticketed for the flight even though it seemed and looked crazy!

         This adventure has given me the courage to meet the faculty and graduate students in University of Nebraska's Speech-Language Pathology Masters Open House tomorrow. 

        What a thrill it is to see God have fun coordinating moments that solve every minor and monumental mystery we face. If God can make my itinerary on earth a fascinating adventure, think about how wonderful God is making your itinerary in Heaven!

        I want to leave you with this verse found in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

        My pilot can take care of all your flighty feelings. He loves to have your frequent fellowship miles!  

Landed and ready for Lincoln!