At the start of the summer travel season, here’s a re-post affirming that God goes ahead and prepares our way, from May 26, 2010:

In my quest to fly home from England after visiting with Hans and family there, it was all bad news.

My Buddy Pass from friend Kevin was free, though it did put me on standby status. But I’d made it onto the flight over on the first try, so when it was time to fly home, I walked into the airport with confidence. After all, there had been 20 open seats the night before.

The agent glanced at my status and said, “Oooo, ma’m. It doesn’t look good for you today. We’re overbooked, and you’re at the bottom of the standby list. We won’t even check your bag, because you probably won’t fly today.

“Take your bags and find a place to wait,” he said. “Come back in an hour, and we’ll see.”

“Is there any hope?” I said.

“It’s always best to hope.”

I wheeled my bags across the airport in search of an empty chair and plopped down next to a woman whose luggage tags matched mine. We were after the same empty seat on the same crowded flight. She eyed my tags and said, “Who knew the airline would strike this morning?” Twenty empty seats: poof.

Feeling powerless, I prayed, reminding God he’d promised to go with me on this first trip after Nate died, preparing my way.

An hour later, I took my bags back to the counter, “Mr. Hope” was gone, but the woman in his place said, “Put your suitcase on the scale, ma’m. You’re listed on this flight.” I didn’t even ask.

As I rushed through the airport toward my gate, loudspeakers urged passengers to heed “the final boarding call.” Stopping to get a boarding pass, I wondered if I’d be plucked from the flight at that point, but the agent just smiled. “Here’s your seat now, love.”

I didn’t look at it but headed for the plane thinking, “It’s always best to hope.” I was the last one to board. While urging people to find their seats quickly, the flight attendant glanced at my seat assignment. “You’re right here,” she said, pointing.

First row.   First seat.   First class.

That trans-Atlantic flight was one pampered ride: a bed-sized pillow, down blanket, gourmet meals chosen from a menu, my own TV, and a travel bag filled with goodies. Though I don’t know how it happened, I do have a hunch:

Kevin’s email the day before the flight had ended with this line: “We’ll be praying for you to get on, and to get a seat in first class.”

When there was no way, God had made one, proving the ticket agent had been right: it’s always best to hope.

”Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Praising and Praying with Mary

1. Please continue to pray about my feeding tube, which is acting up again.
2. I’m thankful to have been able to address wedding invitations with Stina today.