I am in the Seattle airport, halfway home from a wonderful trip to Alaska. Both ways, I've had some flight changes and mishaps that were quite inconvenient and, in the moment, very frustrating. When my flight landed and I saw the text that I will once again be spending a loong layover in an airport three hours from home (and arriving after midnight), my immediate reaction was anger. I got off the plane and walked briskly through the airport looking very pissed off (at least, I thought I did). I talked to the ladies from my airline to try and get a different flight, trying to maintain a demeanor that included kindness and understanding while accurately portraying how annoying my experience has been. Sighing, I got on the phone and huffed aimlessly around while I was on hold.
But then, I hung up. Just as I knew it inevitably would, the foolishness of my extreme reaction became obvious, as did all the countless reasons to be thankful. Most likely my “problems” wouldn't be fixed, and as nice as it would feel to unload on some unwitting employee, that would accomplish nothing (except contribute to my post-tantrum guilt). I decided to make the most of my time in the Seattle airport (which I'd forgotten is actually pretty cool) and let this setback be water under the bridge. Air travel, ironically, is something where people commonly get very upset when flights change or other inconveniences arise. It's stressful because we pay for an expensive service that we expect fulfilled, the day is already busy, sitting and waiting is boring, and the anxious awaiting of the destination often confers a short fuse to the traveler. It's ironic because here I am, with the resources to spend hundreds of dollars on an amazing trip (and this is far from the first flight I've purchased this year), getting mad because I have to spend 4 hours in an airport and go to bed at 2am. God often uses my transient frustrations with flying to remind me to look at the good.
I just spent a perfect week in beautiful and wild Alaska with a dear friend. I'm sporting muddy pants and hiking shoes because we squeezed in some adventuring this morning before my flight. I ate my (wildly unimpressive) dinner in a giant atrium and watched the sun set. I love airports (almost as much as hospitals) and they're exponentially more fun at night. I always appreciate being in public places after normal hours, and kind of getting a picture of the things that go on unseen behind the scenes--and though it's probably not mutual, I always feel a sort of camaraderie with the other people who are stuck like me. There's an endless stream of people to watch, and I just love people. I even got some cardio in, speedwalking down and back the terminals lifting my suitcase off the ground--I got some glances because I looked like a weirdo but who cares! There are water bottle filler-uppers (the technical name) everywhere, which always makes me happy. I found a squishy bench by a squishy wall and an outlet (not squishy). I START PA SCHOOL IN 10 DAYS. Oh also did I mention that I start PA school in 10 days?
I'm actually so glad for my layover tonight (though I feel bad for my poor roommate who has offered to pick me up even though my flight is getting later and later). I'm enjoying this time of being with Jesus, and a zillion interesting people whose stories I really want to know. Maybe I'll go make a friend soon. (I also want to point out that I wrote this entire post on my phone.)
I wanted to write this as a reminder to me, and to you my readers, that life is so much better when we take our thoughts captive, instead of letting emotions rule. God is always happy to provide perspective, and even though those teachable moments are often unpleasant, when we give Him the reins, He imparts joy (and patience) that is unaffected by circumstances.
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