I gave myself lots of time for my early flight to Durango. Initially, I was going to stand by, but then I received a text from my husband saying that he had purchased a ticket due to the extra people on the flight.

Excellent, less to worry about.

The ongoing road construction in Phoenix has added new lanes and rerouted old exits. Consequently, although my husband pointed this out previously, I missed the correct turn off. Tick tock.

The next exit proved to be miles off-course. Tick tock.

I doubled back to find parking and waited for the bus, which took longer than usual to arrive. Tick tock.

Upon entering the airport, I noticed a larger crowd than usual, which was insignificant when I saw the vast crowds of hundreds of people wrapped around upstairs in line for security. No exaggeration. It had to be close to a thousand people. I wiggled my way towards the concourse where the security section was closed.

That explained the lines. I inquired about the pre-check line and was grateful to find only a hundred people in front of me. Tick tock.

I still had an hour before the flight.  I’ll be fine.

Due to the security closure, anyone in Concourse B had to walk halfway around the airport to find their gate. Tick tock.

Being made in the likeness of the infinite God (cf. Gen 1:27), we humans come in all shapes, sizes, temperaments, and speeds. And they were well represented today.

Once I cleared security, it was time to go into high gear. I cruised past the distracted and waddlers. I patiently waited on the moving sidewalk for the gawkers and shufflers. I passed on the left and the right, weaving my way to the B concourse. Was it all the energy I expended that wrapped me in sweat, or was it hotter than usual in the airport?

It proved to be the latter.

My gate was 15A. My husband mentioned that it was “tricky to find.” I blew past gates 1-14 heading at warp speed towards 16-34.

Wait, where is fifteen?

Perhaps fifteen was mistakenly omitted from the sign. I swiftly moved towards gate sixteen. After a quick scan of the area, there was no gate fifteen. Tick tock. Baffled, I asked around and was told I had to go back. “All the way back, I asked?” “NO, just to the top and then partway, and it will be somewhere in the middle at some point.” I instantly thought of the train station in the Harry Potter movies. The one that no one could see, but was supposedly there. Tick tock.

Racing back up the concourse, other passengers in the same situation were dodging oncoming traffic and tripping at times over me and others as they rushed around the lollygaggers, confused and weary travelers. Somewhere halfway back, I saw a sign that read, Gate 15. Seriously?

Was this an afterthought?

Oh hey, Joe, we forgot to make Gate Fifteen. Wouldn’t it be funny if we stick one over here where it makes no sense, in this random hallway? Yeah, let’s do it.  

I slowly eased around the blind corner to discover a lounge and some passengers. I made it with eleven minutes to spare. We boarded a tiny regional jet. Me, Humpty Dumpty, Slim Jim, Mrs. Doubtfire, Cowboy Bob, Moana, and Paul Bunyon sharing the seat next to me. We crammed into that miniature plane and took off. Phew!

I said a prayer of gratitude and hope for a safe flight. I prayed for the mama in front of me and her unhappy baby. I asked for grace for the whole group that successfully found the secret gate and for our crew.

In the unpredictable situations life throws at you this summer, we can always pray. Remember those we share a ride with, those who are having a bad day, and those who look like they need a little Jesus in their life.

And may I suggest that you give yourselves more time than you need, because you never know what to expect. If you find yourself past security with plenty of time, find a quiet corner, thank God, and go get some chocolate for the flight.

You’re welcome.

Safe travels, one and all.