RUNNING LATE
I wasn’t whistling when I strolled out the front doors of the hotel I’d called my temporary home for three nights in Fort Collins Colorado, but I was feeling pretteeeee good knowing that I wasn’t running late.
I’d done the math backward; flight time minus an hour early = one hour. The drive to the Denver airport = one hour. The excruciatingly dull and slow ride from the rental car drop off to the terminal = one half hour. For good measure and a solid dose of wisdom from experience with missing flights = one hour.
It feels good to win.
I stood in front of the monitor, gave the rushing travelers a condescending glance, then back to the screen to find my flight then gate number. “Flight 639 – to Phoenix – on time – gate C-49. Okey Dokey,” I read and thought to myself. Then I glimpsed the flight time.If you’ve ever watched a movie or TV show where they use a cinematic feature to show shock, surprise, anxiety, and dread, then you know the “11:30” departure time grew from tiny distant numbers to me standing in front of them, gazing up at them, as tall as the Empire State Building… I thought the flight was at 12:35…
Sheer panic engulfed me and my heart started punching my chest from the inside. I was between a walk and a run when I rounded the corner into the pre-board screening area. It looked like something from downtown Hong Kong.
My hope was my business class boarding status, the line turned out to be fifty deep instead of the one thousand. I checked my phone, less than ten minutes till boarding, standing still in the line of molasses.
I cleared the line only to be stuck behind all the other poor saps loading their personal effects, including shoes, into the trays and onto the conveyor belts. When I finally got through the creepy X-ray scan I hurried to grab my stuff… that’s when I saw them slide my new briefcase into the “Further Assessment” stack. I checked my phone and my flight was boarding.
When they finally released my bag I ran… about a hundred feet to another line for the escalators. Then again to the underground train to all gates. I glanced at the sign, mine being the last. Of course.
As I waited, hanging onto the poles, along with the rest of the mob of travelers, my heart was still rolling thunder and my mouth was a desert, “This isn’t life or death,” I told myself, but there was little change.
The flattened wheel on my rolling suitcase made my run through the terminal sound like a machine gun as I stormed the gate. Folks were still boarding…
I realize that while most of us are better versions of our younger selves, we haven’t arrived spiritually yet. I don’t know the exact date that’s going to happen, but I know that it’s not going to be on this side of heaven.
“Running late – better late than never though,” I told the attendant, handing her my boarding pass that had “A-1” on it… she had no idea what I was really talking about.
Bill (cycleguy)
Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ 1:19 pm
Running late…better late than never. Yep. knowing my ticket is already punched and destination locked in sure makes the walk through the terminal much more bearable. No matter the arrival.
Sharon
Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ 1:19 pm
OK, Floyd, again you have offered a story about a *mishap* in your life that has me chuckling. Not chuckling at your pain, mind you, but just at the commonality of us humans. I haven’t flown often in my life, but the few times that I have I always followed my father’s advice – to get to the airport at least two hours before departure time. Well, the last time I flew somewhere was with my brother. We got to the airport early (maybe not quite as early as Dad used to advise), only to find out that we had *pass-through* status at the security check. We were through the line in like three minutes. Yeah. Wonderful, yes, but now with a whole lot of time to waste waiting for boarding!!
As always, I love the spiritual lesson. Yes, I have not yet arrived at spiritual maturity (ahem). I hope I’m farther along than when I was younger, hopefully a bit wiser. But, yes, definitely still a work in progress! However, like you, I long for the day when I will be presented to the King, perfect and complete, lacking in nothing!
“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2, NLT)
Now THAT is going to be some arrival!!
GOD BLESS!
Cheryl
Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ 8:38 pm
Oh, my! Bless your heart. I know this was a nerve-wracking experience. I hate flying anyway, and it doesn’t help to run into a situation like this. I’m glad it all worked out for you, brother. God bless you for being the constant encouragement you are to so many of us.
Betty Draper
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 6:32 am
Because we have flown a lot that same thing has happened to us so I know that panic feeling that overtakes ones heart as you race to the gate only to see them close the doors and hear the plane has already left the gate. I am so grateful that it will not happen to me as run this race here on earth. Heavens doors will not close for me and I won’t be late when I reach them either. Good post brother.
Lynn D. Morrissey
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 9:14 am
Floyd. I love, love, love your stories always, b/c they are plucked right out of true life experiences, are told well and entertainingly (just plain good writing), and they always, always drive home an important spiritual point. This is no exception. AND wow! I couldn’t believe the title. I am always running late–case in point, an early funeral today. We weren’t late, but I was….meaning finally ready 10 min after my husband wanted to leave. He sped, which he NEVER does, and b/d traffic was w/ us, we got there ten min. early. And what makes it worse, is that he never chastises me, which compounds my guilt. So….I profusely apologized. I have to stop this. And it doesn’t seem to matter the time of day…I always struggle w/ this. And I did run for a plane once…but this time it realy wasn’t my fault, but rather that the first plane was late, making that next flight impossible to catc;h. I almost killed myself running and missed it anyway. No longer. I allow TONS of waiting time. Of course, if you mistake when the flight is, that’s another matter! 🙂 And I did that once w/ a wedding. We actually thought we were early, and ended up missing the whole wedding! Ugh. I know there is another metaphor in there, but you tell it better, so I will leave it to you. Thanks for sharing…and may we all choose to receive Christ, before it really *is* too late.
Love
Lnn
Pam
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 11:20 am
Oh the best laid plans. . .lol! My husband is one who always has to be super early so this would drive him crazy!
Dolly@Soulstops
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 11:25 am
Floyd,
Oh, I was running through the airport with you and I can relate as I had my own version of that when I was returning from Guate a few years ago. You think you’re early but you’re not. So glad you made it to the plane and also to your new home in Christ 🙂
June
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 11:54 am
I’m so glad you didn’t miss your flight. Not life and death, no, but a huge hassle, yes! Like you, I’m thankful to have the assurance that my life is in His hands. I don’t have to worry about passing inspection or being somewhere at a certain time. When He’s ready to take me home, I’ll be right on time. Blessed assurance. Great post, brother!
Nancy Kehr
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 12:34 pm
I have been to that same airport and it is HUGE! Our frailty as humans is so pronounced in times such as the one you experienced. We think we KNOW something…we are just SURE…. and then discover that we were incorrect. I always thank God for His covering – The Holy Spirit who is my rearguard. ( especially while driving) I am so aware of His presence and would be lost with out Him. Even in high energy, stressful situations, He helps me continue on and keep my cool by doing the next step…and the next…and the next while assisting me to keep my emotions in check. Good story of endurance and HOPE.
Hazel Moon
Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
I know the shock when you discover the departure time was not what you supposed. Fortunately you allowed enough extra time, to get you through the terminal, the train, and just in time to board. I can imagine the attendant in La La land, doing her job, with out a clue as to what you meant by your words.
Most of us are hopefully better than our past selves, but I agree that we have not totally matured spiritually, until we arrive at our final destination. Thank you for sharing another thrilling story with us here at Tell me a True Story.
Lisa notes
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 @ 3:52 am
Hey we could have run into each other at the Denver airport. I was there last week with Jeff on business travel. You were the crazy man I saw running through? Ha. No, I didn’t see you but I relate to this story. I agree–definitely better late than never.
Jason Stasyszen
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 @ 1:39 pm
Yep. We’ll make it, and not because of our best efforts! Good stuff, Floyd. Thanks. 🙂
saleslady371
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 @ 2:43 pm
Reading this gives me a grateful heart that most of my travel by air days are over. I hope. Way too stressful for me and this brings back stress memories. But I am not too old to grow spiritually and that I embrace!
Dan Black
Monday, May 16, 2016 @ 8:23 pm
I’m sure if you had your family with you, you might not have made it:) I get frustrated when I’m running late, I plan and allow for plenty of time so I’m not late but it still happens.
Barb Raveling
Thursday, May 19, 2016 @ 8:51 pm
That was so funny, Floyd. I could just picture you running through the airport! Glad you made it on time!