by Sam Brower
As I step out of the car, I quickly grab both my bags. I frantically look around for the curbside luggage check. I see the monstrous line and decide to go into the airport to check my cumbersome bags. I am hit by a wave of travelers all heading toward the same check-in line. I rolled my eyes in disgust and head back out for the curbside check. After impatiently waiting for what seemed an eternity, I make it to the front of the line only to discover that I am now too late to check my bags.
With vocal disgust, I trudge back inside. After waiting in another line I finally reach the front. A very frazzled employee informs me that I will probably miss my flight and that all remaining flights to Boston are full. So, I say “whatever,” check my bags and say goodbye to my family.
There’s another line at security. Shoes, wallet, bags, key, and patience all leave me. After being wanded by a security agent half a dozen times, I am cleared. Gathering my things and not bothering to tie my shoes, I sprint for my gate. Yes, it was a great movie moment, something reminiscent of the movie “Home Alone” as I run full tilt with untied shoes and my carry-on bag through the airport. But my flight left without me.
Instantly dread comes over me. I am put on stand-by for the next flight, I call my parents, tell them not to worry, and to head on to church—that was the first right thing I did all morning. I sat down and pull out the Bible Lesson. As I look at the title I shake my head and laugh out loud. There, staring me in the face was my answer. It had literally been with me the entire time. In bold black letters, “God the Preserver of Man.”
I eventually made it to Boston, but looking back on this bumpy start to what I’m sure will be a wonder-filled summer, I see all the opportunities where I could’ve prayed.
There was time to pray while I was waiting in line, moments when I was dealing with frustrated workers, and even while I was running through the airport.
But I finally did something right that morning and it was to give it all up to God after I felt I had gone as far as I humanly could. “As gold by fire is tested, its purity shown forth…” is a line from a hymn from The Christian Science Hymnal (No. 15) that has helped my over the years. Frustration tested me that day at the airport and while it looked like I failed at first, it’s never too late to turn to God to find solutions. For me, it took me missing my flight to help me realize where I needed to turn—to God.
I am Sam Brower from just outside Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’ve attended Calvin College for the past two years after spending two years at the local community college. I will be heading into my last semester at Calvin where I am currently a Media Production major. I left friends and family to pursue this summer internship with BMPS (Broadcast and Multimedia Production Services) at The Mother church and TMC Youth. I was reluctant at first to leave the familiar behind, but I am slowly realizing that this summer will be unforgettable and that the experience I am going to gain will be unmatched.
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We’ve all had days like that. You sound down to earth. Have a great summer.
Hey Sam,
Lots of us from “just outside Grand Rapids” are cheering for the hometown guy who’s taking his video smarts to Boston for the summer. We know how clever you are, so thanks for putting all that experience where it counts.
Have you found that this experinece has changed your days since or do you still catch yourself afterwards needing to pray?