Airport Lessons-Heart Check - Friday March 25, 2011
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility... Colossians 3:12 NIV
My husband Dave and I recently flew out of state. I thought to pray for good weather and safe travels, but I didn't think to pray for my luggage. I had just purchased my bag-bright red to be easily spotted-thinking it would fit as a carry-on in the bins above the seats. Unfortunately, it was just a few inches too large, so had to be checked.
Upon reaching our destination, we found ourselves standing at the baggage claim watching the luggage carousel loop round and round always coming up without my new red bag. After further inquiry, it was decided that the airline wasn't quite sure where my piece of luggage was, but would do their best to locate it.
In the meantime I was without my "stuff," and facing the first fall-out of this inconvenience. It was well into the afternoon and Dave and I were slated to attend a semi-formal board meeting dinner at five, just a little over an hour away. My heart began to sink as I realized that my semi-formal would now be travel jeans and jacket.
Certainly I knew all the right responses to my dilemma: "People will understand" and "Inner beauty is what really counts!" Yet I still found myself feeling awkward and uncomfortable. As I fluffed my hair and applied my only lipstick, God reminded me of what really is important-people. I had been so engrossed in my trial that I forgot about those I would be with. I decided then and there that I would clothe myself with kindness and step into the world of others that evening. As I shifted my focus that night, deeper friendships were formed, and God smiled.
Submitted by:
Dawn Bovenmyer
Stonebrook Community Church
Ames, Iowa
One-Year Reading Plan:
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalms 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
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