Lay-Overs

It all starts early in the morning. I must arrive at the airport pre-dawn and go through the thorough and professional screening of the TSA.

I am headed to the metropolitan area of Dallas-Fort Worth. I am stoked to see my son – my DIL – and the three grandsons. Much is planned in the 48 hours I will be there.

Now, this is a bit of something out of my norm. I would most often head by car to the home of the Mavericks, Stars, Rangers, Cowboys, and more. I would drive straight through and be in complete control during the 20+ hours it normally takes to go one way. But this time – I am headed through the air.

My wife would normally fly non-stop with an origin point out of Richmond. She would spend about 9 hours in complete travel time one way.. (3 in air, 4 in car, 2 inside the airport) But I am not doing noon-stop. I am headed out of Lynchburg, and my travel time will be 7 hours. (3 in air, 1/2 in car, 2 1/2 in airports) – all of these beat the 20 hours on the road.

It allows me to rest, study, eat, relax. But it takes control out of my hands. Control is out of my hands. One big issue – I have a 80 minute layover. 80 minutes should be time to make the plane change, But what if?

What if?

That is a big question. What if? What if the plane is delayed? What if TSA goes on strike? What if the plane enters an alternate reality? What if the pilot has to fly the plane upside down and land it in the Hudson River? What if Dallas is placed under a huge dome that nothing can enter or leave? What if … (you add your fear)? ((NOTE: I watch too much TV for some of these scenarios to be considered viable)

Lay-Over … another word for “wait”. We need to practice wise waiting.

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.
——– Isaiah 40:31

Here are some suggestions if you have to do some “waiting”?

Wait and Pray
— shows a trust and focus
Wait and Rest
— shows a trust and reliance on the strength of the Lord
Wait and Act
— Serve Him while you are waiting, prepare, equip, grow in the wait

Lay Overs can be in all stages of life … between high school and college … between jobs … between relocations … and so on.

Know that God is already at work and He has a plan. And since we don’t know how and by what means He is at work … we seek wisdom in the wait.

Back to my initial thought – Lay Overs don’t scare me. No ‘What if” worries. I have the answer …

I trust the Lord. You can too.