Learning important life lessons

This morning I was enjoying the quiet ride to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, watching as the sky began to shift colors, going from midnight blue to a softer shade of dark blue with whisps of white and gray clouds darting across the sky. The sun was on it's way...ready to introduce the already awakened travelers to the dawning of a new day. But even as I was enjoying the sight, there was a feeling in my gut that we had to hurry, like I was going to miss my flight. We were cutting it close, usually I like to arrive at the airport at least 1 1/2 hours before my flight, but this time I was getting there an hour before. My friend dropped me off at the American Airline ticket counter, I got out my itinerary, punched in my e-ticket number and saw that there was no record...I began to panick. so I started to look at my ticket closer and realized that my flight to Seattle was on Delta, it was my return trip that was on American....I looked at my watch, and 10 minutes had gone by. I rushed outside to catch the terminal link and had to wait some more. By the time I reached the right terminal, got to the desk, the man behind the desk said "Sorry ma'am, we've just closed that flight. You cannot get this flight." NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! What do I do? I'm supposed to be on that flilght...one of my best friends is getting married this week...I have to get to Seattle...the temptation to flip out was about to take over. The man behind the counter began to give me my options...the next flight was at 2pm-a good seven hours later. He could put me on standby, no guarantees but it was my only option right now. So, standby it is. I went over to the nearest bench and sat down..."God, now what?" And it was like He was saying to my spirit..."now you and I are going to work on a few things." Immediately my mind went to a prayer that I prayed last night before going to sleep. I asked the Lord for a divine appointment, for Him to connect me with someone who needs to hear about Christ, and for Him to give me an opportunity...that he would clearly guide me and give me boldness to share Christ. Once I remembered that prayer, I thought "Maybe the person God wants me to talk with isn't on that plane. Maybe there is someone on a different flight he wants to connect me with." With that thought in my mind, I started to calm down and I began to realize that though it isn't convienent, there could be grander reasons why I missed that flight. And maybe God doesn't have someone lined up for me to talk with, and if not, that's okay too. But the lesson learned is that God isn't just in the big stuff. He's in the little things. He's in the way I treat the man behind the counter, he's sovereign-even when in the midst of confusion and making mistakes on not leaving early enough to catch my flight. God isn't just a theology to believe in. He's my God, and where I go, He goes with me. I can trust Him. These are such simplistic things...but how often do we just charge ahead, unaware of the God's presence with us? How often do we head to the airport, get our stuff together, confirm our ticket, do our thing our way, get really upset if we miss our flight or it gets cancelled and not even realize that God has a purpose for what we do, for where we are...we are so accustomed to take care of ourselves and just live life and call on God when something big has happened...but I think He wants to be recognized in the small things, to be exalted in everything. Has God's love left me? No. Has God somehow been disproved to be sovereign because I missed my flight? No. Does God want us to trust Him in all things? Yes. Even things as small as missing a flight? Yes. Having the Lord settle my heart and help me to let go of worrying about the details is huge. Trust in the Lord with All your heart. And lean not on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. I'm trusting for the Lord to be directing my path in a very real and tangible way right now, and also seeing Him work out some details on my behalf, as I sit and wait to find out if I'll be able to get on the next flight.
One of the psalmist proclaimed: "I exalt you because your Name is near." I realized that anytime that the word name is capitalized it signifys that as the place where God has intentionally put His presence...it is the place that He chooses to reside. And I was am contemplating that verse right now, it helps me to know that God has place His Name, His presence within me. He has chosen to dwell with me and in, which makes Him near to me...always. In really tough times, and in the silly stupid times when you miss your flight. :) His Name is near. And that to me, is a great comfort.