I’m not one to talk about negative things on social media because ain’t nobody got time for that. Buuuut I have a point to this — I promise!
Around mid-September, I was on my way home to see my family on what was supposed to be a direct flight, aside from a stop (not a deplane) where a few more passengers would hop on and we’d be on our merry way. My (usually) amazing two-year-old travel partner decided to flip the tables on me and scream and fuss the whole flight.
Did I mention that I was running on three hours of sleep?
I was totally that lady with the crazy, wild toddler on the plane that everyone stared at. She fussed for several hours and then finally fell asleep as our plane was descending. THEN the flight attendant said over the speaker, “Those that were planning to continue on to XYZ location and stay aboard the aircraft will now have to deplane and check the itinerary to find out your new gate number.”
Seriously? My daughter had JUST fallen asleep.
So now I had to pick up my heavy, sleeping toddler, my backpack, her backpack, and her snack bag, then hobble to the front of the plane. An elderly lady had pity on me and carried one of my backpacks off the plane before we had to part ways because our gate numbers were the opposite direction. But not before saying, “Well honey, I’m not sure how you’re going to do this. . . .”
So NOW I had to carry a sleeping toddler, two heavy backpacks, and a snack bag all by myself . . . yet again.
After dropping my bags not once, not twice, but THREE times, I managed to make it halfway to my gate before my eyes welled with tears. That’s when stranger number two stepped in and had pity on me. I’m convinced he was my guardian angel camouflaged as a middle-aged gentleman. He offered to carry my bags, and he checked with the gate attendants to find out my gate number for my next flight because by this point, I couldn’t speak because I was afraid I’d burst into tears (dramatic, I know). We finally made it to the correct gate. I was a mess so I barely managed a weak “thank you” to this kind stranger. He understood.
By this point, my two-year-old was awake and fussing again. We boarded and then started our second flight. I was just praying that my daughter would behave this time around and go back to her normal happy-traveler self.
While we were up in the air we experienced mild turbulence, so I looked out the window to settle myself. Out my window were these beautiful white, puffy clouds; peace absolutely enveloped me. I suddenly forgot about the anxiety that I had allowed to overwhelm me just an hour before. In a way, it was almost symbolic. Just as the clouds eventually evaporate and disappear, our anxiety, time of trouble, or even fears will also eventually disappear. In those times of distress, if we simply speak His name and ask for Him to take our load, He will gladly and graciously give us unexplainable peace.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
No matter how overwhelmed I feel, He whispers, Bring it to me.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
I felt so close to God while I was up there in those beautiful, puffy white clouds. I remembered He is everywhere. I can feel close to Him wherever I am.
When we face life’s turbulence and we feel completely overwhelmed, He reminds us in the simplest and most beautiful ways that He has it all under control. I’m so glad He used the clouds to show me that He has me in the palm of His hand.
Until next time,
Hugs and blessings to you all,
Hannah