Offering and receiving the gift of peace

“Your flight has been canceled.” That is not the news you want to hear when you arrive at the airport at 9:30 PM for your return flight and you are thousands of miles from home.

It had been a wonderful trip with 24 other friends, family and colleagues. In spite of some cold, windy, wet weather we had enjoyed our visit to Israel. The Holy Land, as it is often called, is a fascinating place. 

In the week before arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv for our return flight, we had journeyed through the land from the borders of Syria and Lebanon to the southern end of the Dead Sea. Just hours earlier we had celebrated Holy Communion in a sacred site that commemorates the resurrection of our Savior.

We were exhausted and exhilarated as this spiritual pilgrimage was near its end. Ready to get home. Ready to rest and allow everything we had seen and heard be absorbed into our minds and spirits. We were not ready to hear, “Your flight has been canceled.”

After hours of negations, confusion and finally clarity, thanks to Nathalie Ben David, supervisor of Delta Airlines, we were schedule to board a plane the next morning to journey back to Atlanta, via Europe.

The patience exhibited and the care given by Ms. Ben David redeemed the situation. No one wanted to spend the night in the airport but some things are unavoidable. We certainly did not want to fly in an unsafe plane. This kind woman understood customer care.

I wonder when I am involved in unpleasant or difficult situations, do I bring calm and stability or do I add to the chaos and confusion? When we gather in corporate worship we often are invited to “pass the peace.” We exchange the words: “The peace of Christ be with you.” And the response is “And also with you.”

As appropriate as that exchange is when we are worshiping in the sanctuary, I think it is also our task and opportunity to offer and receive the gift of peace at other times as well. Lord, help us to acknowledge that you are always with us and your presence is peace!

--excerpt from a story by Jamie Jenkins, North GA Ann Conf.

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Content Producer
www.umcgiving.org
lcarey@umcom.org