Every now and then I have the opportunity to get away from my desk and travel somewhere to speak. For months I had been looking forward to a Ladies’ Brunch at a church in St. Louis, Missouri. Flying there the day before, I arrived at O’Hare Airport in Chicago at 8:30 AM and checked the board for my gate number.
FLIGHT CANCELLED
What! I skimmed down the roster and saw that nearly every flight was DELAYED or CANCELLED. “There was a fire this morning in our main radar facility,” an airline employee explained. He pointed to a long line of passengers and said, “An agent will rebook your flight.”
I joined the line then called Bonnie, my contact at the church. “We’ll start praying,” she promised.
The line barely moved. When an hour had passed and hundreds of people were still lined up ahead of me, I called my husband in a panic. “Can you look into train schedules to St. Louis?” He called back to say that Amtrak was sold out until late tonight. I decided to wait a little longer before opting for the train. I was chewing my fingernails.
It took more than three hours to finally talk to a booking agent, so I had plenty of time to worry. All around me, people were shouting at employees and yelling into cell phones, explaining why they absolutely HAD to get to their destinations. My stomach churned with worry. Then it occurred to me that God was still in control. (I know, sometimes I’m slow-witted about these things).
Did I believe that God had called me to speak at this church? Yes.
Then if He wanted me there, I would get there. And if He had another plan for the brunch tomorrow, then all the worrying in the world wouldn’t make a bit of difference.
When I finally spoke to an agent, I was calm as I explained my problem. “I can re-book you for 10:00 am tomorrow,” she said.
“That’s too late. I’m the keynote speaker at 9:00 am tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry but I have no seats available today.”
I didn’t budge. “I have to be there,” I repeated, still calm. “Can you book me on any flight out then re-route me back to St. Louis?” She explained that without radar, flights were landing and taking off one at a time. The chances of getting on any plane out of O’Hare today were grim. I still didn’t budge.
“Let me look again,” she said with a sigh. I listened as her fingers clicked across the keyboard. She looked up in surprise. “I do have a seat on a flight at 2:30 today—if the incoming plane manages to land here, that is.” I told her to book it.
At 3:30, I was still waiting at the gate with the other worried passengers. One young man was supposed to be the best man at his brother’s wedding. Three sweet ladies from Ireland were trying to get to their relative’s house. A young soldier on leave from Japan hadn’t seen his wife and 4-year-old son in months. He stood up and announced, “I’m renting a car. If anyone wants a ride, you’re welcome to come.”
Maybe this was God’s plan for me. I decided to join him. So did the Irish ladies and the best man. “But let’s check with the gate agent one last time before we give up,” I suggested. And at that very moment she learned that our airplane had finally landed. “But will it be able to take off again?” we all asked. She was reasonably certain it would. Eventually. And later that evening, it did.
The brunch went well the next morning. I testified firsthand that God answers prayer, and told the ladies we should all stop worrying. Then I learned that all of the flights back to Chicago that day—and the next day—had been cancelled. And I had another speaking engagement in Michigan in a day and a half. I guess I needed a second lesson in faith.
Jesus urged His followers to go the extra mile, and Bonnie and her committee members lived out His command. They drove me halfway home, and my husband and his good friend drove the other half to pick me up. We all spent six hours in a car. But I made it to my next event.
Is there a moral to this tale? Jesus said it best: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid? . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
God is in control—and I’m not Him.
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Thank you for the great reminder, Ms. Austin! I, too, was flying that weekend to speak at a ladies’ inspirational day and my story is almost identical to yours. Even though I didn’t reach my destination until 1 a.m., I was just grateful to make it!
I was grateful too, Kathy. I don’t know why my “default setting” is to worry first, before I remember to pray. I could save myself a lot of stress.
What a great reminder. My military brother was trying to fly home that same day and couldn’t get his connecting flight. He finally drove home, too anxious to wait until the next day for a flight. It is hard sometimes to sit and trust!
He was wise to drive–like I almost did. And like I ended up doing for my second flight. Sometimes God has a different answer to our prayers.
I remember that fire. What a blow to such a major airline hub. So thankful you made it through, Lynn, and what a wonderful testimony you now have to encourage others. God is faithful. All we have to do is trust. Easier said than done when worry gets its talons into us. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Yes, God is always faithful…so I ask myself, why don’t I trust Him? You’re right, Karen–easier said than done!
I can really relate to your ‘trust issues’ as well. And even though God has these amazing ways to give me what I need (like new clothes or a place to sleep while I’m doing my internship, etc.), I still find myself doubting whether I can trust Him or not sometimes. But I guess He literally has all the time in the world for us to learn. If only we’d be more patient. =)
“You of little faith, why are you so afraid? . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” So true! And such an ongoing challenge for me in my life.
It was inspiring to hear that God made a way for you to get to St. Louis and back, Lynn. His will makes a way.
I guess we’re supposed to grow in faith by being put in challenging situations, right? I’m usually blind to that fact at the time. I just want a quick fix to my problems. Don’t we all!
We all need to hear this message. I know that I do. I am a worrier, but I truly do know and understand that it gets me no where. Calming prayer is the answer if I can only slow down and remember.
You’re right, Pat. It’s the “slowing down long enough to remember” part that gets me every time.
What a crazy journey. So glad God made a way! 🙂
I am too! And the ladies I met at the brunch were wonderful! It was worth all the hassles to get to meet such nice people.
That makes it even more worthwhile.
Whew! I was tense from reading about your experiences, Lynn – – but SO thankful God provided just what you needed and you made your speaking engagements. 🙂
I have to admit I’m the “Queen of Worry” – a title I’m not proud of *sigh* – – however, with God’s help I’m working to overcome this. 🙂 So your post was exactly what I needed to read (and I’m sure I’ll be re-reading it too).
Love that verse from Luke (hmmmm….I think I need to write that verse on a large poster and hang on my wall). 😉
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
If you’re the Queen of Worry, Patti Jo, I think I qualify as a loyal member of your kingdom. LOL! I would love to have faith for all my worries, big and small. But it may take a lifetime of experiences like this one until I’m finally able to live without worry.
Thank you for this reminder. Your last line, “God is in control–and I am not Him,” puts it perfectly. So often I get caught up in knowing God is in control, but thinking I have a handle on that control. Reality hits and I realize He is so much better at controlling things than I am!
Amen! Well said.