November 25, 2014 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. Isaiah 42:16 (NIV) I recently arranged for my daughter Sarah to take her first unaccompanied commercial airplane ride to visit her grandparents in Florida. I ran through all the details. I bought the ticket, arranged for her passport so that shed have a picture ID, made sure the toothbrush was in her backpack, and set two alarms to ensure that wed leave for the airport on time. In fact, we arrived thirty minutes ahead of schedule. I gave Sarah five dollars and told her to go to the newsstand and pick out a magazine. We bought lattes. And then I said to the woman at security: This is my daughter. Shes fourteen and flying by herself today. As I quickly discovered, the rules for unaccompanied minors gave tightened since 9/11. No,no,sir. You have to get into that other line. There are forms to be filled out and a fee to be paid. Thirty minutes later, still several people away from the front of the line, I began to panic. By the time we made it to the front, one of the two agents handling customers was closing her window and beginning to pack her things. Please...please...Im sorry...I mean, will you help me before you? I stammered, desperate for help. She took one calm look at me and said, Of course. What do you need? Ten minutes and fifty dollars later, my problems were solved and Sarah was on her way to the gate. Despite my best efforts and preparations, things had gotten out of my control, I had gotten out of control. But thanks to the graciousness of Rose at Logan Airport, both the situation and I were defused. Remind me Father, to let go of my presumption that Im in control and to allow You to help me with the people You put in my path. Jon Sweeney
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:34:11 +0000
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