Al and I are official “Snowbirds” now, after fleeing the frigid Michigan weather for a week-long cruise in the Bahamas. When we left at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1 it was 28 degrees F outside. We bravely took off our winter coats and left them behind in the car at airport parking, along with our gloves and hats.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait for the shuttle taking us to the airport. It picked us up promptly, and once inside we were able to stay warm.
On previous trips, nearly everything at the airport was shut down early in the morning; however not that day. At 5 a.m. there were already long lines of people waiting to check their luggage and go through security at the terminal.
Would our window of time before departure be enough, we wondered? Because the deadline for boarding the cruise ship at the port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was 1 p.m. It was important to catch the 7 a.m. flight from the DTW airport.
Since Al had prearranged for wheelchair assistance, we were able to avoid the long lines and proceeded to the gate without delay. We thought there was enough time to stop and order food to eat on the airplane, but didn’t realize it would cost precious minutes. When we reached the gate, boarding had already commenced. It was with a big sigh of relief and a “Thank You!” to the Lord when we finally took our seats on the plane.
The flight was smooth and once in Fort Lauderdale, a person with a wheelchair took us to the baggage area. Representatives from the cruise line were there waiting for arrivals. After checking in, we were told to sit down until it was time to board the bus for the cruise ship.
“You don’t have to do anything,” instructed one man. “You are on a cruise ma’am. We do it all for you!”
The airport at Fort Lauderdale was only about a 10-minute drive to the ship, and there was still an hour to go before the 1 p.m. deadline. It felt good to relax, knowing we were in good hands.
However, there was heavy traffic on the freeway — stop and go the whole way. Just as the bus reached the security checkpoint at the entrance to the port, the engine shut down, blocking one vital lane completely! The vehicles behind the bus began passing on either side whenever there was an opening, with horns blowing.
After several futile tries, the driver contacted his company and arranged for another bus to pick us up, as well as for a tow truck. The passengers were quiet, especially as the boarding time was approaching.
“Would we make it?” Al and I wondered for the second time that day. But before the arrival of the tow truck, another attempt to start the bus was successful! The engine revived and the port security quickly flagged the bus through the entrance to the port.
Our driver had to go to two ships from the same cruise line, since there were passengers from both onboard. As he helped me exit the bus, I said, “I don’t know if you believe in prayer…but that was a great answer to prayer!”
“I believe,” he said with gratitude, “I believe!”
Again, we were met by kind people who told us to relax, that everything was under control…and it was! Thank God!
Once on the ship, the crew also repeated the words, “Remember, this is a cruise, you don’t have to do anything!” Now, that took a while to sink into my brain — but not too long!
As followers of Christ, we don’t have to worry or try to do things our own, just pray, trust God, and then obey when He shows us what we need to do. By His grace, God will provide for our needs and also whatever is needed to accomplish the task(s) before us.
God is our provider, “Jehovah Jireh.” His grace is sufficient for us. We're in good hands!
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-6
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
More about the Caribbean Cruise next week!
Judy Lowery is a former resident of Springville. Contact her at judylynnlowery@ocsnet.net
