Beyond Common Sense

Just a little piece of paper

Seriously? I mean, so I forgot a little piece of paper, or I should say plastic. I remembered the important things: food, ten chocolate Easter bunnies, small gifts for all the kiddos, my toothbrush, and there was still enough room for a few pieces of clothing.

So, what did I forget? Was it important? If you are flying—YES!

We were so worried (although we tried not to be) about TSA. With all the confusion over the past few weeks with Homeland Security, would we face long lines? We were flying out of Pittsburg for the third time. The first time, the line was crazy, ridiculously long. When we finally reached the end of that line, we asked the man in front of us about it. “Welcome to Pittsburg,” was his response. However, we did make our flight.

The second time, I was traveling to SD alone and I had an awesome experience with no wait at all. So, our odds were 50/50. We breezed right in…until we needed ID. NO ID!!! I had packed light, not even my wallet (of course, I remembered money and a credit card!). Oh, my! How stupid!

Do you have moments like that when you want to crawl under a chair and cry? I mean, really, Wanda—you are not a first-time flyer!

It happens to the best of us. I was not rushed or pressed with a lot on my mind. The bunnies had been packed for over a week! It happens. There’s nothing to say, no excuse to make. It happens. Praise the Lord for an amazing, awesome, calm, patient husband!

What do you do when you are in a situation like this? Here are some examples from the Bible. Which would you choose?

• Pharaoh—“Get out of my sight!! We can take out our frustrations on someone else. After all, if you think you are a god, like Pharaoh, there’s no need to be nice to anyone.

• Aaron—“And out came this golden calf!” Blame someone else. There’s got to be a scapegoat hanging around here somewhere. At least he blamed an inanimate object.

• Adam—“It was that woman YOU gave me!” Ugh! Women, we’re just as bad!!

• Job—“I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Bingo! We don’t need to dissolve into tears, but we might. (I can’t believe I didn’t.) We can get angry or moody or grumpy or quiet, making everyone around us miserable, or we can accept that we are not gods and are open to mistakes—not flippantly but honestly.

After going to a very kind TSA supervisor and getting into the system, I did need to take off my shoes, and Mr. Supervisor stayed by my side through security. (I felt like I had a scarlet letter around my neck.) Then, they took my belongings and ran a special wand over them. (She said she did see the bunnies and they made her drool.) Curious Georgette here asked what it was doing, and she said it would detect any explosive residue. Wow!Now, we’re in the airport waiting for our next flight.

There are so many blessings about heaven that we don’t consider, like not forgetting anything—ever, and, maybe, eating chocolate guilt-free?

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you”) Ephesians 4:32).