As I was preparing for a recent trip, I did my normal process of checking in when the window opened. I noticed that the seats were in the very back of the plane, which I did not particularly care for, but as they had been very expensive tickets, I refused to pay additional to choose my own seats arguing that I could request a change of seats were available.
On the day of the flight, I got to the airport and the security line was the longest I’ve ever seen it and it was at that moment, I realized I had not put my TSA pre-check information I when I had checked in. I rationalize it was fine. The flight was delayed a bit and I can just go through the normal process. After being in the line for about 15 minutes an agent came and said they were taking us to another line that would expedite the process.
What we didn’t know prior to starting the move was that it would be two levels down and in a very cramped area and ultimately, by the time we were done, we ended up being through around the same time as the line that we were originally on, and much farther than the place we wanted to be.
When I got to the gate and tried to request a change of seats, the agent who I can guess was already frustrated, gave a semi-snarky response. Based on my observation of the surrounding area, I knew it was unlikely.
It was one of my most frustrating traveling days in a very long time.
As I contemplated what I wanted to share, I thought of that day. In the grand scheme of things, please know I know that these are minor issues compared to what many are dealing with. But, it got me thinking. What happens when life looks nothing like you anticipated or expected?
Although a small book in the Bible of only three chapters Habakkuk, reminds me of this.
As they are going through it, the Lord tells Habakkuk to write down the vision and to make it plain, (which I also encourage you to do as you’re going through your seasons). Even as we get to the closing verses of the chapter, we see that Habakkuk still does not have his answer, but he has something even more powerful. Chapter 3:17-19 it says, ‘even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty, and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Sometimes you will not get the answers you expect, but what will your take away be?
I want to be the person who says ‘even though life looks nothing like I expected, I will still trust the Lord’.
Dear Heavenly Father, as life continues to happen, and sometimes our answers may not come in the ways we expect them, would you allow us to say, ‘even though it looks this way, I am still confident in the goodness of the Lord’.