New heaven, new earth

I have been thinking a lot about patience lately, particularly how I so often lack it. I was recently traveling from Bradley to visit family. I boarded the plane, on time, settled in, began taxing for take off before the plane stopped and we were informed that the plane would have to go back to the gate. The de-icing mechanism on the plane apparently was not functioning and we would need to de-plane and another plane would have to be brought from JFK. It was May! De-icing??!! I went to get a Sausage McMuffin (I know, I know) and a coffee and was informed they were only charging me for a SENIOR coffee (I'm only 55, I thought!). My blood pressure was beginning to rise as my phone continued to ping from Delta Airlines saying my flight was delayed an hour, then two hours, then four hours ... I felt a melt down coming on. Remember, I have a direct flight to go and visit family and, by 7 in the morning, I am already a train wreck of nerves, anxiety, frustration and anger.

Life can become a series of perceived negative outcomes. Life can feel like it is overwhelming us and, sometimes, we are dealing with very hard things: illness, dying, injustice and loneliness. But how often (more often than not for me) do we simply allow the busyness and bustle of life get in the way of our relationship with serenity, hopefulness, and, let's face it, God. I remember the moment, at the airport, when I reminded myself to stop, take a breath, and pray. Pray to God in gratitude that I was going to see people that I love. Pray to God for patience and trust that all would be well. Pray to the God of our lives to keep things in perspective. At the end of the day - and in all situations - God is with us. It is okay to focus on our own needs and challenges, even if they are small, in the grand scheme of the universe, but we do ourselves a disservice when we forget the One who never leaves us. I pray, this day, for reminders of God's goodness and a realization that every moment of challenge is also an opportunity to look at life in a new way, through God's lens.