Aug
1
2014
Lost Luggage
Posted in Heaven 4 Comments
There we were, newly married.
Young, inexperienced, traveling to another country for our honeymoon.
Mexico City, Taxco, and Acapulco.
One week away before returning home to a small apartment in the place of Amish buggies.
I remember how strange it felt to sign my new name.
I remember how I twirled my rings, now two of them, around the finger of my left hand.
I remember how I loved to say, “My husband” every chance I got.
I remember thinking that there is another person to think about now.
Off we went, with a layover in Houston before landing in Mexico City.
A visit to the pyramids and an awareness of the high altitude of which we were warned.
Off to the city of Taxco, known for its silver.
Eating dinner in a grotto and being serenaded by men with violins and mandolins.
On to Acapulco, to see the Pacific ocean and to watch the cliff divers.
Being surrounded by opulence in this resort setting.
Being stopped by little children who wanted to sell you one Chiclet from a box of gum.
Opulence and poverty walking hand in hand.
The week was over much too quickly and we headed home.
We had a layover in Houston before returning to Philadelphia.
The trip was wonderful as we discovered how to be husband and wife.
The travel was pleasant even as we waited for that last flight home.
Unbeknownst to us, in the bliss of our honeymoon, daylight savings time happened.
It happened at 2:00 in the morning as we slept.
It happened without us even realizing.
It happened whether we changed our watches or not.
It was the days before cell phones that automatically changed the time for you.
It was the days of looking at your watch to tell the time.
It was a wonderful system if your watch had the correct time.
It was a not so wonderful system when your watch had the incorrect time.
It was not until we sat in the airport waiting for our connecting flight that we knew.
We had an additional hour to add to our wait time.
Nothing to do but sit and talk and remember.
Everything was handled by the airport people who were experts at handling things.
Except not quite.
We naively assumed that our luggage would be routed the way we were routed.
We sat there without a care in the world as our luggage went round and round.
Luggage that was not claimed in Houston; luggage that would not go on to Philadelphia.
We landed safely.
All I wanted to do was get home.
We waited as the carousel went round and round.
There was no luggage that looked remotely similar to ours.
Only a few lonely pieces of luggage were left there unclaimed.
My heart sank thinking that my luggage was one of those pieces back in Houston.
I was here and my luggage was there.
Everything was in that bag even the one thing I didn’t want to tell my husband.
My mother’s watch, the one with the tiny diamonds around the face was in that bag.
The one I wore on my wedding day to ensure that she was part of the ceremony.
I dreaded telling my husband, as we had to fill out claim forms.
I got a look from him when I told him.
The look that made me realize that married life had begun.
There was another person to think of; another person I had to tell things to.
Things that he may not agree with; things he may never have considered doing.
You never put valuables in your luggage, softening his tone when he heard himself.
I could make excuses, but I couldn’t.
I knew how to pack, or so I thought.
I had a necklace in there too, the one I wore…I trailed off knowing it was useless.
I could feel the warm tears welling up in my eyes.
We left the airport with just each other and the clothes on our backs.
The paper work was filled out.
The luggage is probably in Texas; you folks do know you’re supposed to get your bags.
I was tired and weary and wanted to tell him about the clocks changing and the waiting.
Your bags will be delivered to you in a few days.
I wanted to cry.
I wanted to go home.
I had nothing to bring with me.
But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
(1 Timothy 6:6,7)
Godliness with contentment is great gain.
How true.
I had so much to be content about.
I had so much to be thankful for.
The little annoyances that in the scheme of things is insignificant.
The little inconveniences that rob us of our joy.
The little frustrations that make us forget how much is really right and good.
The griping we do over things that can be remedied in time.
A lesson in lost luggage.
Something to laugh about years later when I had time to process the experience.
I often think about our bags going round and round on the luggage carousel.
Round and round never being claimed.
We, as believers in Jesus Christ, have been claimed.
We have been bought with a price.
We have been redeemed, ransomed, and saved.
Jesus Himself claims us as His own.
Do you see it?
You have a tag on you claiming ownership.
This person belongs to Jesus Christ.
Bound for heaven.
Beautiful, what a lovely memory.
Thank you, Sherie.
The things God brings to mind…
Gina
“The griping we do over things that can be remedied in time,” what a convicting and true statement! Amazingly, God’s timing is perfect.
Cathy,
I am always amazed at His perfect timing as well!
We worry needlessly.
He has it all under control!
Regina