Airport Adventures

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Phil 4:8-9 NIV

I Love Airports
Have you ever wondered why God told us to think on things that are praiseworthy, pure, and excellent? I think I’ve figured it out – so I can enjoy airports. I love airports. They have all sizes and shapes of people from different countries, religions, and cultures. Children will always play with my bubbles. People yell into cell phones, offering fodder for books and blackmail if I were so inclined. Airport trains are more fun than Disney trains. Stores have flying pigs, talking clocks, and chairs that offer free massages. I can have a full body massage, manicure or buy jewelry. Moving sidewalks are racetracks where I feel like I have wings. Everywhere are people that may need to hear about Jesus. Airports are virtual wonderlands filled with promise of adventure.

I Hate Airports
I used to hate airports. I saw them as necessary evils to wait in between flights. Since I hated waiting, I spent airport time sleepy, bored, and grumpy. I whined over delayed flights, airport food, and “overpriced tourist trap” stores. I plopped into seats praying I wasn’t next to a talkative person.

I Love Airports
Then I began actively practicing Philippians 4:8-9. Imagine my surprise at how many praiseworthy things there were about airports. Because of the Word of God, airplanes became vehicles that transported me from fun airport to fun airport. I landed with a smile and stepped outside the plane anticipating my next adventure.

I Hate Airports
Since I spent so much of my life in airports, this new attitude worked well until recently when I moved to State College, Pennsylvania. I had an “attitude relapse.” State College had a small airport so connections were inconvenient. Not only did I visit extra airports, I had longer wait periods. Traveling from State College to Albuquerque, New Mexico took 10 miserable hours. I found myself once again whining to anyone who would listen. When I read my own Facebook whining, God convicted me about my attitude. I recognized the error of my ways. I remembered my love of airports. If I really loved airports, State College was offering me more fun than ever.

I Love Airports
Once I’d had the attitude adjustment, my spirit of airport adventure returned. I stepped off planes and bolted to the moving sidewalk, passing everyone as I raced along. I stopped soldiers and thanked them for their service. I helped people find gates, comforted struggling people, and began sharing Jesus. I visited shops and cuddled soft stuffed animals. I eavesdropped on a poor young woman having a cell phone fight with her mom and planned the story I’d write. No wonder God tells me to only think about what is lovely. He doesn’t want me to miss adventures like airports.