By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Most of us wander through life and occasionally something humorous happens. The memory of the event brings a smile to our lips . . . maybe a giggle. One of those funny happenings met me recently on a flight from Houston to Greenville, North Carolina.
The hour grew late when I boarded the plane, and I’d promised myself not to sleep but work. Once at my assigned seat, and noting the light load of passengers, I pulled out my computer sleeve and tucked my computer bag in the overhead compartment. Immediately, I focused on finishing a romantic suspense novel. When the exit door slammed shut and the announcement came to stow my laptop, I obeyed. (Most of the time, I’m a rules girl.) My attention now drew to reading a novel on my iPad.
When the announcement sounded that I could bring out my laptop, I was so pleased with myself. Not even a hint of falling asleep.
Then it happened. I reached for my laptop sleeve below the seat in front of me, and nothing was there. Three times I unbuckled my seatbelt to search through my computer bag in the overhead compartment. Nothing resembled my laptop cover.
My thoughts swung like a pendulum:
- My husband will kill me,
- Where is my laptop?
- Is my story lost?
I prayed for my device to miraculously appear.
Turbulence hit, which meant the beverage cart and helpful flight attendants were delayed. The cart finally moved to my seat, and I explained my missing laptop inside its sleeve to the attendant. “Don’t worry,” she said. “As soon as I’m finished with the beverages, I’ll get a flashlight to check under the seats.”
That helped tremendously. At least she didn’t say I was crazy. But the cart moved so slowly. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I looked behind me, under the seat, and down the aisle. My heart thudded in triple time.
I finally spotted the brown and red sleeve! My computer had slid eight rows back during takeoff and anchored under a seat on the opposite side of the aisle.
I wanted to turn a cartwheel, but I restrained myself.
After retrieving my laptop and clutching it to my heart, I returned to my seat and laughed. But isn’t that like life? We’re faced with a bewildering problem and see no way out. We pray, doubts hammer us, and then God answers with a yes, no, or wait. Thankfulness for God’s perfect timing still gives me a giggle.
What about you? When’s the last time life happened, and God answered with a bit of humor?
