Why Surrendering Can Lead to Growth
I almost broke my streak of writing daily today, but I have an hour left before the bell tolls.
I had a rough 24 hours getting back home to Virginia.
Planes were delayed, and I got back home early this morning, and had to hit the ground running as soon as I got some sleep.
But now, things are calmer and I'm sufficiently rested to reflect on what I want to express.
The last day or so has really brought home the realization that we are mere passengers in life, and not in the driver's seat as much as we think we are.
This realization comes to all of us at some point in our life, and for many, it's a hard pill to swallow.
This was reflected to me when I was sitting on the tarmac and my next connection was already boarding.
I knew I wasn't going to make it, so when I exited the first plane, and walked to the gate where I was supposed to board my next plane, I just surrendered to being a passenger in this particular experience.
I ended up with a very nice gate attendant who told me that the only shot I had at getting home was flying standby on the last plane out.
Otherwise, I couldn't leave until the next EVENING on a plane.
I wasn't upset. I decided to see what happened and not get all emotional about it.
It all worked out. I got home very late or early depending on your perspective, but I didn't have to wait until tonight.
When I got to my home airport and was waiting for an Uber, another couple came by and the man was furious.
I mean, every cuss word you can think of came out of his mouth, and I was thinking he was going to have a heart attack.
I was just sitting on my suitcase, waiting to be another passenger in my Uber, and when his story finally came out, he ended up only being an hour later than his original flight.
But you would have thought the world ended as upset as he was.
I knew he was a man used to being the driver's seat, and resistance to being a passenger in all areas of his life meant his view of the world was filled with lots and lots of road rage.
When you're driving all the time, you don't have the opportunity to look out the window of life and see what's really out there, and enjoy the scenery.
Instead, your foot is on the pedal going faster, passing people to just end up at your destination about the same time as those that you passed.
But you missed the trip, you know what I mean?
I'm not saying it's wrong to drive so hard and fast--people achieve a lot living this way.
But is the cost worth it?
I had an experience years ago that taught me that planning and thinking so much about your future can blind you to an amazing opportunity that you never planned or conceived of.
But when you are driving so hard, eyes focused on a particular destination, you'll miss a side road that can lead you to something far more spectacular than anything you have ever imagined while you're racing down the highway.
In my case, last night, I was on a standby flight that allowed me to see someone I haven't seen in the last year. We caught up at baggage claim, and I shared with her some tough stuff I've been going through in my life, and she said, "Well, I know what to pray for now, whereas before, I didn't."
That's what I mean.
As a passenger last night, I gained a deeper appreciation of how God works behind the scenes as a driver. He arranges things in His perfect timing, not mine.
I gained an extra prayer from a lovely woman and her husband, and for that I'm grateful.
It's good to be home in one piece, and to feel some peace, too.
Random fact about me: I love 95% dark chocolate.