Art has been coming on the Mississippi Gulf Coast “Katrina” Missions for 4 years. He talks about his encounter with opportunity and God during his flight home…
A divine opportunity missed…
After a weeklong stay in Mississippi working with great Habitat for Humanity (HFH) friends, partner families and Team Evergreeners, I began to question whether I’ll have a “divine appointment”. Up to this point, others on the Team have had encounters to pray over people and impart God’s love and mercy on them. Part of me wanted to bestow that same blessing on others. But it’s God’s timing, not mine. It wasn’t until our layover in Dallas on our (co-ed Team) return trip from Mississippi where I had my “celestial engagement”.
As our team was waiting for our connecting flight to LAX, I heard a ticket agent announce over the loud speaker that the flight was full and if you had oversized luggage to approach the counter and check it in for free. Not sure what motivated me more, God’s prompting, the invitation to check in my protuberate friend (guitar case) or that it was free. Being Chinese, I couldn’t pass up a good deal! So I approached and queued with the other large baggage offenders all the while thinking they fell prey to the no cost alternative. I digress. What happened next was what I considered my divine appointment.
It was my turn. As the crowd at the counter parted ways to allow room for the extra large appendage, the ticket agent and I struck up a conversation to assess the appropriateness to check in said appendage. She hesitated a moment and called me over to the side away from the other agents. Was I in trouble? She then beckoned me in closer with her hand in that come-hither-but-not-too-close motion. Cautiously, I leaned in. She wrinkled her nose, slowly shook her head and mouthed an emphatic “NO!” It was as if she meant to say, “you idiot, why would you want to ruin your delicate instrument by checking it in?” We chatted a little more about her heightened level of concern and discovered she was a fellow guitar player and would never, ever, do such a thing! She also noticed my HFH t-shirt and was volunteering with the local chapter for the first time on Wednesday. I applauded her volunteerism and quickly blurted out, for fear of angering the natives in queue behind me, our team’s LA roots and foray into Mississippi. She smiled and whispered that she’ll let me board first to guarantee a place for my precious cargo. Excited, I quickly gathered my backpack, boarding pass and guitar to be one of the first to be let in before the premiere members! Is this what it feels like to be a person that either needs assistance or has a child in tow? Being neither, I felt pretty special to be bestowed this honor…thank you Lord.
In my timidity with the agent, I must admit I was remiss in not praying for her right then, but rest assured I later did while in my seat aboard the plane. I should have been more bold to take the time and pray for her at that moment. What an epic FAIL! Fortunately, our God is a God of second and third chances even fourth ones. I’m sure I’ll have other divine appointments later, but next time I’ll be prepared!