When my Imagination Works Overtime

(A picture from last year)

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

Because their flight was to leave Miami at 8:10 this morning, youngest son’s mission team decided to leave yesterday at Noon, drive to Miami in the church van, and then, spend the night in the airport hotel. That way, they would not have to find a driver willing to leave at midnight to get them to the airport in time for their 5:00 check in. As we waved good bye, I felt like I had a split personality. While one part of me knows that God will take care of youngest son and nothing will happen to him that God does not allow for his good, the other part of me hums with tension and anxiety. Would they get to the airport safely? When driving Alligator Alley (Interstate 75), the many accidents, occasional fires, wild animals or construction delays can make it a long haul. I relaxed a little when youngest son called to say they were at the airport and checked into the hotel. He called again just as they boarded the plane this morning, so I knew they woke and checked their bags in on time. They were to arrive in Manaus, Brazil at 1:30 so about 12:30, I decided to check the airline’s website to see if they were on time. For some reason, I could not reach the English version of it, so tried United Airlines (the companion carrier) site. That said that the plane still had not left Miami! A check of Miami airport’s web site said the same thing. I began frantically calling youngest son and the group leader, but they did not answer their cell phones. I knew that the group wanted a direct flight to Manaus, but there are only two per a day and it appeared both had been cancelled. They did not want to fly into San Paulo and have to take a commuter flight to Manaus. Tam Airlines does not have a high rating for safety and tends to overload the planes with baggage. I was starting to get really churned up, but tried to breathe and pray. Husband encouraged me to be calm as well. It does not help that I have an vivid imagination or that my parents and youngest son’s girlfriend kept calling to see if we had heard anything from him. Then, youngest son’s girlfriend called in a panic. A plane crashed into the water, but she didn’t catch where. Praying, I rushed to turn on the news to see that the accident was with a small private plane and a helicopter in New York City. Not what I had feared. At that exact moment, my dad called to say he had just talked to youngest son. They were eating lunch on the boat in Manaus. Everything was okay. While sometimes, God has me wait on His timing before He answers my prayers, I am grateful that today, He responded immediately. I guess He knows about my overactive imagination. And youngest son’s girlfriend’s, as well.