I had the privilege of taking a quick trip the morning after my book launch. While I was at the airport, I started listening to a message titled ‘Delayed but not denied’. How I even got a copy of this message is a story on its own.
I was in church and sat behind a couple that I had not seen before. I had gotten to church late, and my usual seat was already taken. The gentleman had his phone open, recording the sermon. When the sermon was over and he stopped the recording, it went to his main screen of recordings and I saw the title from the week before ‘delayed but not denied’. That was a thought I’d had just the morning of, and I asked where he’d attended so I could look up the sermon.
He told me he could send it to me and asked for my number. While I gave it to him, I wasn’t sure if he’d go home and forget his offer. However, a few hours later, a message came in with the recording. I knew I’d have time before my flight to listen.
As the agent came to the podium to start the check in process, I asked if I could be moved further up. He was looking, and there were seats, and then he said, there would be a charge. I debated quickly whether it would be worth it and determined that it wasn’t.
When my time came to board, I got on the plane and as I walked to my seat, I quickly realized it was going to be an uncomfortable few hours. There was a woman right next to me with an almost toddler on her lap. I wasn’t even in the seat yet and knew there would not be enough space for all of us.
I needed to use the restroom, so I simply kept on going. The flight attendants were in the back and I explained the situation. She said she’d see what she could do, but I’d have to wait until the flight was fully boarded. I was totally fine with that.
I struggled to get in my seat – praying that she would come through for me.
Within a few minutes, she came and called me and moved me up. To the same spot that I would have paid for had I done it with the agent – and, even having the middle seat empty.
As I finished listening to the message ‘delayed but not denied’, I had to chuckle at the timeliness of it.
What I thought was a denial, was simply a delay.
What are some examples you see in your own life where you thought a delay was a denial?
Dear Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful that sometimes you do not give the answers right away. As the message said, sometimes it’s in the delays that we are able to experience the character of God. May I always be reminded of these simple, yet powerful lessons.