Have you ever had one of those days?
A few years ago, I rose before the sun to get an early flight so I could travel to a conference. I arrived at the airport in plenty of time and made my way to my gate. About the time we should have been boarding, the flight was delayed. Eventually, the airline rebooked me onto another flight. Of course, my new seat was in the back of the plane.
When we landed at the connecting airport, the flight crew requested that anyone who reached their final destination, or who had more than 40 minutes to make the connection, please let the other passengers off the plan.
Of course, 90% of the passengers hopped up. Bless their hearts, they gave me the opportunity to practice my patience.
When I finally deplaned, I ran down the concourse, descend the escalator—and it seemed as if my luck had changed because the train was there with the doors open. I grinned and hopped aboard, but the other passengers had pained expressions. It took me a moment to realize that the train wasn’t running. Oh . . .
Finally, the train moved, and I made it to my concourse. Of course, my gate was the very last gate down a very long concourse. I ran. My seat was in the very last row, next to the bathroom, with a seat that didn’t recline.
The weather was rough and the flight was bumpy. My seatmate was a young woman. A weeper. I kept up conversation to take her mind off the flight and held her hand.
I landed at my destination, weary but glad to be there. At the luggage carousel, everyone claimed their bags and left. I stood and watched two battered suitcases go around and around, wishing my luggage would pop out of the magic shoot and onto the carousel. That didn’t happen. My luggage went to Cincinnati. No kidding.
When I arrived at the conference center, dinner had already been served, so I went to my room. I figured I would just unpack and regroup. I opened the closet, and my roommate had taken all the hangers. All the hangers.
I needed some air. I need to take a deep breath.
Many people find those circumstances overwhelming and perhaps blow up, burst into tears, or just harbor anger and pressure.
And I used to be one of those people. Over 20 years ago I had a defining moment that plunged me so far into a pit of despair, I had no other place to look but up. And I did. I took inventory of my life, and discovered that didn’t need to be a victim. I had control over my life and my emotional wellbeing. It was a process, but I reclaimed joy, optimism, and a sense of a promising future.
I believe everyone can redeem the day by practicing the principles of the AIR, A-I-R:
A is for Armor, the armor of God. We’re told in Ephesians 6 to put on all of God’s armor to be able to stand firm. That day I especially needed some peace—those spiritual shoes that come with the knowledge of the gospel of peace.
I is for I am God’s beloved. Do you grasp that?? Yes, my flights were disrupted, yes, my luggage was lost, but in John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Do you want that life? Well, there is a roadmap to finding it.
R is for restore. When I need restoration, I go to Psalm 23. (Honestly, I read the 23rd Psalm daily. True.) The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I need. He leads me beside still waters. He guides me along right paths. Yes, when I arrived at the conference center there was no food available, but I had God’s spiritual food.
Have you ever had a day like that? A day when you needed some AIR? I bet you have. After all, mama said there’s be days like this.
So, when you have one of those days, take a breath. A deep breath and breathe in some A-I-R..