My son Quinn started off on an adventure. He was going to Costa Rica for a semester of school. He was excited, and yet (although he never voiced it) I am sure he was a little nervous. He was leaving the country to be immersed in a new language, staying with unfamiliar people, in an unfamiliar land. But he was a champion, keeping a tight reign on any anxiety and overcoming any obstacles that came his way, like finding the money to go, releasing his apartment, and packing all his belongings to bring back home.
We drove him to Las Vegas to catch his flight, as it was much cheaper to fly from there. We dropped him at the airport at o' dark hundred, said our goodbyes and headed our car homeward bound for Phoenix. Mama bird was excited for him. He had left the nest, but he was securely on his way, tucked into the airport. And that's when the call came. They wouldn't let him board his flight. They said his stay was over the legal 90 day in country stay without a visa. He had no visa. We were already over the Hoover Damn by the time the problems started. Quinn showed him the bus tickets he had purchased to prove onward travel plans to leave the country for the mandated 72 hours. They still would not let him board. After many phone calls, the only way Quinn was getting on a plane to Costa Rica was to purchase a new ticket for the next flight. The next flight was in 12 hours. The next flight would have to have a return date within the 90 day time period, three weeks before his semester ended. The next flight would cost $1000, and the next flight would arrive 15 minutes before his first class started. Mama bird wanted to peck someones eyes out!
I told him to buy the ticket, get on the plane and we would work all the rest out in time. Have hope, have faith I told him, but it would be another 100 miles before I stopped brooding and fuming. Here is what changed me. Psalm 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? I knew in my heart that there were good reasons to be downcast. But only two. And mine was neither of these two. I have God. Therefore, I have hope. If I was not a believer in God, I would have reason to be downcast. If I continued to live in sin and not repent to God, I would be downcast. But everything else that causes me to feel hopeless, I can take to God. God is on the thrown. God is in control, and nothing happens without God allowing it.
And so I took my petition to God. I trusted him. I hoped in him. In the past whatever my need, however difficult my circumstances may seem, I laid my hope upon God. And this was no different.
Quinn bought his ticket. He made it to Costa Rica. He started his class. We wrote an email to the airlines explaining the situation and asking them to reimburse us the money and allow him to change his return flight for free, that would allow him to complete his semester. A week later I got a response that included an apology, reimbursement, and free flight change. I emailed them back telling them how much it meant to me that they cared about my circumstance. I received yet another email from them saying that no one ever takes the time to tell them thank you. Yes, the company had integrity, but ultimately God gets the glory. Even if the outcome had not been perfect, even if the outcome had not come so fast, I would still lay my hope in God.
When God allows circumstances in my life that throw me for a curve, perhaps he is teaching me to put my hope in him. When my situation seems impossible, I can put my hope in him. God is simply asking me to exercise my faith in the power of Him. I have found this to be true many hundreds of times, and yet I continually have to remind myself, "Put your hope in God" Pslams 43:5
No matter the outcome I have the promise of God "that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose". Romans 8:28 When we are on the right path, following God's purpose for our lives, things will all come together. Quinn is doing what he was called to do. He will face obstacles, but God will open doors and create smooth passage. My hope is in God.