My husband voiced the words that made me begin to fear:  “Let’s get off and see if we can make new travel plans.”

‘Oh no,’ I thought, ‘maybe this is not such a great idea,’ but when we deplaned and spoke to the attendant at the boarding gate, she spoke the same truth, telling us that if we took that flight to Chicago, we would be stranded at the airport, possibly for the night.  So, at that point, our day of nineteen travel hours stretched to twenty-six, but rather than flying from Lexington to Chicago to Ireland to Brussels, we now acquired tickets for flights from Lexington to Charlotte to London to Brussels.  We would still arrive but just hours later.  I knew this would be good for our daughter who was picking us up at the airport; however, I also knew this would cut into our time of visiting for our second daughter who only had the weekend to share with us before the start of her workweek.

Nonetheless, the Lord’s plans were to be our plans.

Nevertheless, the Lord’s providence was at work, and for some reason, He willed for us to take a different flight plan.

The Lord’s in charge.  We will arrive and will not be returned home.  This weeklong trip was starting, as we seated in separate locations on our first leg of the journey.  My husband took his seat, and then I walked several rows back and sat down beside a young lady.  She had already begun to read, which was fortunate, for during my last class of teaching just two days prior, my voice had begun to leave as laryngitis established itself deep in my throat.  Instead of chatting with my seat buddy, I smiled at her and pulled out exams to grade.  When we landed an hour and half later, I knew this had just become my first flight without any conversation, a fact that I did not like but could not avoid.  Living in silence was not my pattern when I traveled, for conversations with strangers on planes was part of my DNA, but that was not to be true this journey, for I could not even ask for my favorite drink, speak a greeting, or say goodbye.  Nothing but a small whisper came out of my mouth.

Here we were, traveling for the spring break week to visit with those we loved, and I would not be able to even participate in the conversation.  ‘Is there a lesson here for me, Lord,’ I contemplated as we deplaned and moved quickly through the Charlotte airport, grabbed a quick boxed lunch, and sat to wait for our connecting flight to London.  That’s when we looked at our ‘new’ boarding passes and realized that we were not in the same boarding groups.  This was not a problem, but we wondered if this also meant we would need to sit apart.  My husband did not hear well and I served as his second ears, listening to others’ words, helping his hear and understand.  Today, he was serving as my second voice, speaking for me whenever someone asked me a question.  We were a fine pair, but would we be separated on the ‘big’ flight was our concern.  Thankfully, we were not because the boarding passes he had received on his phone were different, so we boarded the plane and settled into our tight seats side-by-side for the next eight hours.

We made it to London, landed, deplaned and walked to our gate to await the last leg of our trip.  We were fatigued but hopeful we would arrive with still some day to enjoy.  Hours later, we sat down on our final plane:  British Airways, the roomiest plane of the day, by-far, and the Lord in His graciousness, placed me beside a fellow=teacher.  I knew because I whispered my question:  What do you do for a living?  She talked about her sons, her journey, and her work.  I listened.  There’s much to be gained in listening, in accepting changes to your day, and in trusting that the LORD, He always makes the way where there seems to be no possible way:  “For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

Now, hours after our long day of travel, after many flight changes, seat changes, and obstacles, I sit here writing, inside our daughter’s home.  We have enjoyed hugs from both daughters, a ride from the airport, hugs from our sone-in-law, play-time with our cherished grandson, a good meal around the dinner table, and a sweet night of rest.  The LORD truly is great in his grace and mercy.  While we thought we might not make it through, the LORD made us a new way.  When we thought all hope of arriving on Saturday might be lost, the LORD made new travel plans for us.  Truly, I am not sure why the LORD has decided to give me laryngitis, but I am sure there is a lesson for me to learn in this silence, in a time when I normally share in the conversations with those I love.

Thank You, LORD, for helping us arrive after a long day and night of travel.  &

Thank You for seeing us through, helping us arrive, and making the way possible.  I am ever-grateful to You, LORD.