Unexpected Turns

 


Last weekend, I had meticulously planned my journey, down to leaving early and meeting a friend on the way to the airport, choosing a particular airport café for a snack and even organising the precise times of my online meetings and calls from departures. However, it did not quite go to plan: the tube was down and I had to take an alternative route; one of the meetings got postponed; and the plane was delayed three times! 

However, as usual, there were some adventures along the way. I ended up talking to my fellow passengers and lots of joking and good cheer ensued. We even ended up reading thought for the week together!

When I got onto the plane, I was promoted to the front seat (with a clear view of the propeller, pictured above) and put in charge of aiding with any emergencies. I think I shocked the cabin crew, as, such was my gusto in the trial run, they believed that I was actually going to pull off the emergency door! Sharing my experiences by text with some friends, I was amused at some of the replies, which ranged from: "How impressive! Another hour of delay and you'll be flying the plane!"; "Oh dear, nobody will be getting off that plane!"; and "I couldn't think of a better man for the job!"

In the end, a one hour flight managed to eat 11 hours of my day. However, on reflection, I had been very content and gained a shared experience with others, which brought positive moments out of frustrating ones. 

It amazes me that God plans the moments of our lives with love, even if things do not go the way we expect them to. I strongly believe that even little things matter: so much of what I do seems minor, but it matters to God. 

Even in more serious circumstances, we know from the story of Joseph that, although his life seemed to take sudden turns, which others meant for bad, God meant it for good. He had his loving eye on Joseph and caused so much good to come out of his situation. God still has his loving eyes on us today, plans our paths and directs us. If we listen carefully to him, we can experience much joy and do much good. 


"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

Psalm 32:8


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