Airports

by Sue

 I don’t like airports. In fact, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say I’m afraid of them. This is rather unfortunate because, being a missionary, I’m left to face my fear on many occasions. It’s strange, but my baggage always seems heavier in an airport. And I don’t mean my suitcase. In the airport all sorts of feelings of anxiety, loss and loneliness seem to ooze out, my mental zips unable to restrain them. I can’t help but worry that my flight will be canceled, my visa denied or by some not uncommon streak of ineptitude I’ve booked for the wrong day or date. I can’t help but wonder what am I doing and think of all the things I’ve left behind. I can’t help but feel sad and sometimes sick at the thought of more goodbyes. I’ve never actually been afraid to fly, somehow I enjoy that part, but it’s that airport in-between part that gets to me and shakes my peace with a whole different kind of turbulence. 

But I don’t want this baggage to weigh me down, so next time I head to the airport I’ve determined to remind myself of some of the simple but pertinent truths in God’s Word.

God is in control 

 So I missed my flight, so I lost my bag, so the passport is out of date…has He ceased to be King of the world? Praise the Lord He has not detached Himself and left me to my own devices. He is still Sovereign in this drama and unexpected inconvenience. There was once that my flight was canceled and I panicked that I might not make it home in time for my sister’s wedding. In a miraculous way I got a train to the next airport instead and on the journey I even got to share the gospel with the guy sitting beside me. God was in control. There was this other time I was told I couldn’t fly because I didn’t have the necessary visa. I knew I didn’t need a visa but turns out they thought I was Iranian, not Irish! When they finally realized, I had to do an Olympic sprint to make that flight. Honestly, I feel like a magnet for airport disaster, but I must remind myself that He is always in control. What seems like ‘bad luck’, or mine or the airline’s stupidity, is not going to put Him off His throne.

Treasures in Heaven are what count

A missionary friend once told me that she couldn’t believe how easy it was to accumulate treasures on earth while seeking to build treasures in heaven. I certainly sympathize. It’s always a struggle restricting my suitcase to 20kg, there are just so many more things I want to bring with me. I have a stripy teapot my brother and sister-in-law gave me about 8 years ago and I’ve tried to bring it with me to China about 3 times now, but it always gets taken out at the last minute in favor of a book or jumper or tub of vitamins. It’s hard to be practical and not too sentimentally attached to stuff. But at the end of the day, it is just stuff. I can let it go because it’s really only treasures in Heaven that count. If I am rich in faith and hope and love then I have something way more valuable than anything I can lug around in my suitcase.

I am not alone

Waving goodbye and walking through security towards the gate has to be one of the loneliest walks I’ve taken. I know there are good people waiting for me on the other side, but just for now I’d love to have someone to be by my side. Oh but there is. I’m learning (and re-learning) that when the Bible tells us God will not leave us or forsake us that is not just a platitude or a nice verse to remember, that is a reality. He is right there with me as I cry and fumble for my passport and scan the screens. He doesn’t just appear when I get back and start some ministry, He is ministering to me as I move through another gut-wrenching transition. I may feel lonely, but I am never, ever alone.

I am not home yet

Ok, so there is actually once instance when I like airports, and that’s when I am going to pick someone up. That’s totally different! A couple of years ago I went to pick up some missionary friends who had come back to the field after a year in their home country where they adopted a little girl. After a long wait, I cannot tell you how excited I was when the kids came running out to meet me and the parents threw their arms around me! It makes me wonder how wonderful Heaven will be. No more leaving and loss, but a welcome from a Father who finally has His children home. I don’t want to lose sight of that great arrival, that forever Home, or more importantly that Father who is waiting with His arms open.

 Sue is a spunky Irish lady who teaches English in China where she has lived for the past 10 plus years. She loves her students, Chinese culture, sports, laughing and her new found talent–art; among many other activities. I’ve been honored to serve alongside her as she loves others and lives her life to the fullest in everything she does.