Moments before landing on my return flight from Vegas, our flight attendant says the very last thing you want to hear over the intercom... “We are sorry to inform you, but your layover flight from Texas to Fort Lauderdale is now delayed.” I release the loudest, most obnoxious “mental” sigh. As we exit the plane, two stepping down the isle, my fellow passengers and I are greeted with even “better” information; we would now have an additional connecting flight, From Texas, to Tampa, to Fort Lauderdale.....! In that very moment, my heart sunk. By now we were huddled at the gate entrance listening to the details echo over the speaker. Needless to say I was livid and distraught at the same time. Not only did I have an entire bridal group to “MakeOva” early the following morning, I would now be arriving roughly 4 hours late to my group based off the airports “updated” schedule. On top of everything else, the time change made matters almost impossible to comprehend or even sleep before my gig.... (Insert Cliff hanger) Thank God I had a team member in place, ready to cover the wedding incase anything happened, but everyone knows you don’t mess around with a Brides wedding day. I made a vow to myself that I would still try my hardest to be there for my Bride, so I didn’t lose hope.
Looking around the terminal, I could see the temperament of room change before my eyes. Everyone was walking around aimlessly. Looking for somewhere to sit, or a charging station. Have you ever tried to make an airport bucket seat comfortable with a polysester neck pillow? It’s like everything started to go in slow motion from there on. At that point, there wasn’t a seat in sight. I was always taught to make do with the hand you‘re dealt, so I ended up finding a little corner of some sorts and leaned up against the wall, whichever way possible. I didn’t even mind standing after sitting for over 3 hours on the previous flight. Let me set the tone of the room for you; There was some construction going on at some of the other gates, so it seemed as though everyone was hovering over each other. It had to be at least 250 people just stacked around like a can of Pringle’s. It was starting to get late, babies were crying, people were sighing, talking, cussing, and grunting. Everyone was so frustrated. You could feel the vibe shift drastically. Only minutes in, and I was already “over it“ to say the least, and that would be an understatement.
Somewhere between leaning against the wall, and scrolling through instagram, I felt like I was going to break. At that point I went straight to texting my hubby. He sent me some comforting words followed by a screenshot of the Bible app notification that just popped up on his phone. It read, “As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children, But your Heavenly Father is even more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks.“ Luke 11:13 When I read the verse, I felt like The Most High was finding the right words for my husband to send me that would lift me over the madness of the night. I remember reading the full passage in the Bible and saying a prayer to myself there after that included me asking for the Holy Spirit to come into my heart, and that I was ready to receive it. We were only about 30 minutes into waiting and my headphones lose power. Minutes later, my phone was on its way out as well. By this time, there wasn’t a socket in sight. Possibly another sign from God to just be still. It was like he took away all the distractions in front of me so I could just rest my mind, hands and eyes.
Why is it so difficult to just “be still”, to just ”be in the moment?” I almost felt forced to listen to all the noise and confusion around me. Standing didn’t make it any better. About 10 minutes later, a seat was finally freed up for me. Praise God! I did the slow, ”I’m tired and an I’m an old lady“ sit down, took out my contacts, laid my head back and closed my eyes. Just as I began to drift off, I heard a faint, muffled voice call my over the intercom to come up to the front counter at the gate. I jumped up like I was in a dream. I was so embarrassed. I asked myself, “Did.. did someone just call me?” Looking around the room, everyone and everything was so blurry. There wasn’t any movement towards the counter, so I figured it had to be me. Then I heard my name again. Now, I’m Practically walking to the sound of the voice because I couldn’t see a thing! ... and course I didn’t have my glasses with me (insert eye roll) I literally start walking with my hands out to make sure I wouldn’t hit anyone because my perspective was all messed up. Thinking I would be bumping shoulders, the crowd of people part open like the Red Sea. Looking back now, maybe they could tell my vision was impaired. Maybe it was the squinting or the mummy walk, either way I finally get to the counter. The instant I arrive, a young lady surprisingly notified me that there was an open seat on a flight going straight to Fort Lauderdale. I wouldn’t have to worry about the connecting flight from Texas to Tampa, To FTL... which would cut my time in less than half on returning home. With slow intentions she adds, “Only thing is, it’s leaving RIGHT NOW!
I didn’t even hesitate! I grabbed my suitcase and just kept telling her “thank you, bless you” over and over. I felt like I was in a daze, or even in a dream, and everything was so frustratingly blurry... I suddenly remembered, “Duh, you need to put your contacts back in Jainel!“ Now I’m cleaning my hands with whatever’s left of my water bottle; scurrying to put them back into my tired, red eyes, to now catch what looks to be a “red eye”. As I’m processing the situation, I had to stop for a moment and ask myself “Why did she call ME?” I was so confused.
I remember hearing the rustling of papers and lot of keyboard clicking while she was changing over my ticket information. In that moment, I glance down at her computer, (now that my vision was back) and I see a ton of names on her screen. Still processing what just happened, I asked her, “What made you chose MY name out of all the people that were listed on your screen?” She replied, “I don’t know, your name just stuck out to me for some reason, and I just chose you!” As she shrugged her shoulders so nonchalantly, I was in utter shock and disbelief. She hands me my updated ticket, and I do not waste any time. I continue to gather my belongings, and hurry to the next gate.
Mumbled Whispers of “Excuse me, Pardon me” were heard as I shuffled through what seemed like an ocean of disgruntled passengers. I text my husband to share the blessing and in the process of me texting, the level of miracle that just happened to me started to sink in, and I teared up. From that point, nothing could bother me for the rest of the night, into the next day. I just knew I was covered by the never-ending love of Yahweh.
After a safe landing, I had another 30 minute drive to my bridal group with just enough time to grab some extra lashes at the store, and a coffee for the challenging day that I KNEW was ahead of me. Finally my chair was up, light was on, and brushes were buffed and ready to go. My mind was settled and my kit was finally laid out. I took a deep breath, bowed my head, put up my hands and said “ I give YOU all the Glory, ONLY you.”
To this day, I am still in awe of how one day can change the entire trajectory of your life. Some may think that’s a little extreme to say, but my perspective on was truly altered from the moment that young lady called my name. When I break it down piece by piece; I heard someone call ME... Through all the madness, chaos and confusion, someone still called me, and only me. Once I heard my name, I followed the voice with faith intact, almost blindly. Once I was obedient I ended up receiving a blessing far more than I could comprehend. This experience allowed me to really understand the true meaning when people say, “We have to walk by faith and not by sight.“ Put away all the distractions so we can hear him call our name through all the loud noise around us. Doesn’t matter how the situation may look. The vision Jehovah has for you isn’t always clear, and it may even seem too blurry to walk through, but just meet him at the counter. The Almighty will always give us little signs that he is ever so present with everlasting love. Every now and then, he allows us to witness mini miracles to secure our faith when we need it the most.
Almost a year later, that same Bride sends me this testimony from her wedding day.
Little did she know, the amount of effort and blessings that went into arriving on time and in one piece to her bridal group would one day become MY testimony. I poured into her group and gave them an amazing OMG experience regardless of how tired I was. All because that boost of faith Elohim gave me.
Please take the time to share a moment in your life when you felt like God worked a mini miracle. Don’t forget to share this blog with someone that may need to hear some words of inspiration or a quick pick me up during these crazy times.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de lire mon blog. Au Revoir xoXO!
