Expect The Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

Isaiah 55:8

I hugged my daughter, Natalie, and kissed my three-month-old grandson, Kameron.

Natalie asked, “When can you come back to Chicago?”

“Not for a while. I have to save for the flight.”

“We already miss you.”

My husband, John, hugged everyone good-bye, and we left for O’Hare International Airport. Dark clouds overhead mirrored the somberness I felt as we drove through pools of water. Upon check-in we were told the storm would delay our flight one hour. At nine thirty that night, a small break in the weather allowed us to board. It was a full flight, and I had not arranged for advanced seat assignments, which forced us to sit five rows apart.

The plane backed from the gate and stood in line for takeoff. Lightning flashed. I clutched the armrest and wished my husband were near me. Anxious and frightened, I prayed, Lord, please don’t let the plane get struck by lightning. Instantly, a bolt flashed so bright that it illuminated the plane.

Then the captain spoke. “Folks, our tail wing’s been hit by lightning. As a precaution, the fire trucks are arriving to spray the plane.”

I heard sirens and chuckled at the irony of my anxious prayer and God’s answer.

My seatmate asked, “You find this funny?”

I smiled. “I just prayed and asked God not to let the plane get hit.”

He laughed. “I bet God had a reason.”

When we disembarked, we were told the next flight to Denver was two days away. We opted to fly to Colorado Springs, drive to Denver’s airport, find our luggage, drop off the rental, and drive home.

For our inconvenience the airline awarded us two free tickets. I didn’t need to save after all! And I offered a thankful prayer as I booked our next trip.

—Genevra Bonati

Lord, help us to remember that your plan is always better than anything we can conceive of. Amen.