Little known fact about Kansas is that there are not a lot of direct flights coming and going. Which simply means connecting flights. My first flight had gone well. It was completely full and I didn't feel like sleeping (something I would regret later), but I made it to St. Louis, Missouri without a scratch. I was exhausted!! I was ready to drop on the spot and fall asleep. I mean I had been up since 5!! But I couldn't sleep just yet. I began to walk and found the board of outgoing flights. Gate 220. Perfect it's right in front of me. Now that I know where I have to be, I need lunch. So, I began to walk. There really wasn't much in this airport. Nothing like Atlanta or Dallas. There was a Dunkin Donuts and a Burger King. Neither sounded that great but I chose Burger King. The moment I got in line I regretted it. They aren't really known for their cleanliness. In fact, Burger King has never been that high in my regard. The only good thing I remember about it was losing my first tooth there. Ok, the only "Thing" I remember, skip the good. I lost it when I was about 6 or so, at the local Burger King as I bit into a chicken nugget. Anyways, I go and order the Chicken Strips, to which the waitress relied, "We are all out of Chicken Strips." *Sigh* Seriously!? All I want is to find some food, sit in a chair and sleep. "Ok, do you have the Chicken Sandwich?" The waitress yells back to the other staff, "Chicken Sandwich" Go figure. They have the sandwich that is a few dollars extra! Whatever, lets just get my food and go. I get my food, my drink and go to my gate. Thank you Lord! There is a seat right by the gate! I sit, get comfortable and take a sip of my pop. Yes, I said POP. I'm from the West! I took a sip of pop and made a face. Great all carbonation!! I pick up all my stuff, and trot back to Burger King. I pour out the Dr. Pepper and fill it up with Coke. To be nice I stood and waited to tell them it was out. To which she snappingly replied there was Mr. Pibb on the other side. I'm tired so I'm cranky and I thought about being rude back but I'm a nice person and even though I think it I never say it so I smile and nod. I head back to my seat and go figure it was taken. So, I sat in the only empty spot, a bar stool. This bar stool was apparently made for very tall people because the seat was like a mile away from the bar! Take a deep breathe and just eat your sandwich Jack.Finally, a seat opened up. I was able to sit comfortably and wait for my flight. I pull out my ipad and try to connect to wifi, which didn't work. Fine, I'll just play a different game. I was so tired I didn't notice the time pass. All of the sudden, over the loud speaker I hear my name!!!
JACQUELYN DAVIS. JACQUELYN DAVIS IF YOU ARE GOING ON YOUR FLIGHT WITH US TO ORLANDO PLEASE COME TO GATE 210. JACQUELYN DAVIS PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO GATE 210.
Heavens to Betsy!!!!! I quickly grab everything and run!!!! My heart was pounding and I was heavily breathing but I made it to gate 210 in time. The guy at the counter took my ticket and retorted, "Trying to miss your flight girl." I wanted to SMACK him! which is unlike me. but instead I politely explained that the board said gate 220. "You must have been looking at incoming flight." I wanted to say, "Sir, I have been flying an awful lot in my day and I know what I saw thank you very much." But I instead nodded and headed down the plank to the airplane. Funny thing about SouthWest airlines is that they line everyone up by numbers and let you go pick your seat! Who came up with that idea I have no idea. But as the last person on a almost full flight you can imagine my dilemma. So, I started walking down the aisle. nothing. nothing. notta. nothing. seat. Oh creep. nothing. nothing. nothing. another seat. and another creep. nothing. nothing. Oh a seat in-between an older couple. wellllll....is there anything else? Tiptoe look. nothing."Excuse me sir" I notice a strange smell as I take my seat between a larger man and what seemed to be his wife? Well, so much for sleeping on this trip. "No you be nice." the older gentleman said sarcastically. I nicely chuckled and agreed. "Oh Larry!" Exclaimed the woman. "You better be nice." This could be a very interesting flight. Very interesting indeed.
"My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company." -Jane Austen
So there I found myself, smushed in-between a larger, what seemed to possible be, an older couple. I was absolutely exhausted. All I wanted to do was fall asleep. But, there is a phrase my pastor once gave and since he did has become a constant phrase in my family. "The ministry is People!" So, I tried to strike up a conversation. Unfortunately, the lady sitting beside me like to chat, and her, "Friend" liked to comment. It started by her asking me a bunch of questions about my life, which I was happy to answer when Larry sarcastically said, "How old are you, how many siblings do you have what's your favorite color. Leave her alone." I have to say it was amusing listening to the two of them throughout the flight. I found out that they had been married for 15+ years and had 6 children before the divorced. The wife remarried a "good" man according to Larry, who died several years ago. They both live in St. Louise and are best friends. They were now on their way to Florida to have a winter sabbatical with their kids. Now if that ain't strange I don't know what is.
Larry had a seemingly cynical attitude about almost everything. He would more than likely challenge anything you said. Those time of people I definitely prefer to shy away from at times. But, God had other plans. To be honest I am not sure how it all started. Somehow I found myself in the middle of a biblical discussion with Larry. Suddenly I was listening intently as the man's voice changed as he explained how as an older man he came to know the Lord sitting in his living room chair. He said he didn't utter one word, but he knew. He knew he had accepted Christ and he had lifted his burdens. His voice soften as he described how tears fell down his face as he sat all alone in his dark living room. A few minutes passed as we exchanged beliefs and praises at what our God had done. I have to admit I sat shocked. He was a man, who at first I assumed we had nothing in common. Yet, we were brother and sister in Christ.After Larry shared his testimony I was able to share about what God was doing in my life and the burden I have of helping young believers understand the Bible and how to defend their faith. What a joy to be able to talk to a fellow believer you just met about what God is doing in your life. As the plane began to land and everyone prepared to exit the plane, Larry turned to me and said, "God bless you in what your doing, and I'm going to pray for a husband for you."
HAHA I don't know about the last part, but God bless you too Larry, wherever you are.
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