This trip was an opportunity of a lifetime in which I am very grateful. As great as traveling overseas is, it also has its moments of annoyances and frustrations. I must admit I was getting very impatient with traveling through the airport. We waited in line to check our luggage, only to get into another line to go through security, then we get into another line to go through passport control. Finally we get into a line to wait to board our plane. I have real empathy for all who regularly fly the "friendly" skies. In today's world air travel has become a test of perseverance and patience.
As my impatiences was growing an insight hit me. Why become impatient? I had no control over the movement of the line. Impatiences only causes irritability which benefits no one. As I began to refocus and practice patience I found it opened me up to my surroundings in a much more positive way. The tension within my body began to lessen. I found that the wait was actually restful and less stressful.
As I was waiting, I was reminded that patiences is indeed a virtue, or as Paul reminds us in Galatians 5, a wonderful fruit of the Spirit. When I travel I will have to be sure I have packed along with my toothbrush plenty of patiences.
A prayer for traveling.
Into the hands of others, Almighty God, today I fly, and in doing so I give my care and well-being into the hands of others. May I be courteous as they serve me at check-in, though security screening, while boarding the aircraft, during the flight, on arrival, through passport control, collecting my bag and going through customs. May I both see and offer love in every task, given in service and received with gratitude, through your love shown to me.
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