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by LaRue Eppler
Do you know how to receive? Do you receive with absolutely NO resistance what so ever? I thought I did until I met an angel in the airport one day. She was one of my best teachers to date and that is why I call her my airport angel.
I had been in North Carolina teaching a course. My host had dropped me at the airport for my return back to Dallas. We had just completed a wonderful weekend and my spirit was soaring, but my body was feeling like concrete. It had flu-like symptoms; aching, running nose, sore throat, and swollen glands.
As I checked my bags, the attendant told me that the previous flight to Texas had been cancelled due to storms, and asked if I was sure if I wanted to check my bags. I went inside and asked my Whisper. It gave me an undeniable ‘yes’. So, I checked my bags even though I didn’t feel certain I would get on a flight that day.
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I could hardly wait to get on the plane, close my eyes and go to sleep. All I wanted to do was go to bed and let my body recover. I learned, some years ago, that if I would not resist my illness and simply allow it to be (by not putting labels and stories about it), give it some rest, TLC, and the assistance it needed like Vitamin C that it heals rather rapidly.
About an hour before boarding time, it was announced over the intercom, that my flight to Dallas had indeed been cancelled. They said that we were welcome to come up to the desk and rebook for the next flight, which would be five hours later. They also encouraged us to phone the airlines if we had cell phones. There was no guarantee that the next flight would depart, because the weather may not permit flights into Dallas.
I, being a modern woman, whipped my cell phone out of my purse and booked myself on the next flight. But, something didn’t feel right. It felt like I may wait at the airport for five hours and still not get to Dallas. I had a strong ‘urge’ to secure a hotel room near the airport and I had a feeling, that in a matter of a couple of hours, there may be no hotel vacancies near the airport because all those stranded people would be booking a room for the night. So, if I was to get a room, I better book NOW, despite the fact that I was confirmed on the next outgoing flight.
Even after securing the flight and a hotel room, something felt off, or like something was missing. For some unknown reason, I was compelled to stand in the line with the people waiting to rebook their flight. I asked myself w I was standing in line when I have already booked myself a flight and a hotel. I was in good shape, I told myself. All of my bases are covered. Despite these facts, I was still compelled to stand in an enormous line. I had no clue what I was going to say or do when I reach the counter. I can assure you that THAT line was the last place I wanted to be, because my body was aching from head to toe. My throat was so soar that I could barely swallow. All I wanted to do was lay down and go to sleep. But, there I was standing in a very long line with some very unhappy people, I might add. I was compelled by an URGE (one of the six distinctions of the Whisper) to stand in that line.
Jut two people ahead of me, there was a little lady that I felt drawn to talk to. Our eyes had met earlier when they announced that our flight had been cancelled. As I pulled out my cell phone to call the airlines, I looked over and our eyes met. There was a transmission from her eyes as if to say ‘what am I going to do?’ I had the thought to offer my phone to her to call, but of course after I had secured my place on the airlines. Yes! My ego was doing what it does, self-preservation before others, once again.
Upon entering the line, there she was, just two people ahead of me. This was the third time she had stood out from the crowd. It was the second time our eyes had met.
We struck up a conversation and she mentioned that her medicine was in her checked baggage. She seemed concerned about her luggage. She didn’t know where it was and thought that it may have gone on an earlier flight. She spoke softly and quietly. There was no doubt that this was a very kind, meek woman. Her name was Betty.
Finally, about 40 minutes later she finally reached to desk to rebook her flight, I heard the attendant tell her that all flights to her destination had been cancelled till 6am the following day. That was about 13 hours away!!! She was informed that she could get a hotel room. Very softly, I heard the sweet lady decline. I stepped up and offered my seat that I had secured via my cell phone about an hour earlier. I was promptly told no that she wasn’t going to Dallas. Okay. I tried.
I cancelled my flight and rebooked for the following morning knowing that I was headed to my hotel to go to bed. As I walked away from the counter I walked in the opposite direction of the exit and straight over to the woman. I could not do anything else. It was as if a force took me there. I had magnetic draw to walk over to the woman and offer to take her to the hotel with me. It was beyond thought. I was compelled! The very thought of this little lady (77 years of age) sitting up in a chair at the airport all night, literally made me nauseous. How could I possible go off to my comfortable hotel room and leave her there?
I walked up to her and before I could stop myself, I said, “May I buy a hotel room for you?” She looked straight into my eyes and said, “You’ll do that for me?” My heart said, “I’d love to do that for you!” She sincerely thanked me. I told her that I wanted to get some coffee before I left the airport and asked her if I could get her anything. Without hesitation she told me she wanted apple juice.
I told her to wait right there and assured her that I would be back for her. She said, “I know.” As I walked away, I heard the lady sitting beside her lean over and ask her if she knew me. I didn’t hear the response. I don’t know if she was concerned for Betty’s life or impressed a stranger would buy another stranger a hotel room.
I soon returned with the apple juice and the two of us made our way to locate our bags. Honestly, I dreaded it. The airport was filled with hundreds, perhaps a few thousand bags. But, I felt confident we would find them because we had been told that no bags had been put on earlier flights.
We walked down to the baggage carousel and there was a sea of bags, most of them looking alike. Would you believe that both of our bags were sitting right up front and we walked straight up to them? Not only that, but there was only about 3 or 4 bags separating Betty’s luggage from mine!
We secured our bags and went out to catch our hotel shuttle. I was sick and was not feeling well. I wished I had someone to lug my bag for me. I looked behind me to ensure Betty was with me. She assured me that she was there. I could tell that pulling the bag was hard for her. So, even though I felt like death, I offered to pull her bag along with mine. She said’ thank you’. Again, no resistance.
Soon we boarded the hotel shuttle. As we pulled into the hotel, I asked the driver if the hotel had a restaurant. He confirmed my suspicion that there was no place to eat in the hotel. They only served breakfast.
I focus was on going straight to bed but, I had the thought that Betty had been traveling since 5am. It was now a half a day later and wondered if she had had any food. For myself, I was happy to just pull the sheets back, turn off the light and drift away. I was so ill I could care less about food.
The shuttle driver pointed in a certain direction as he told us that we could walk down to the intersection, which was about a 1/3 mile away, and there would be a fine selection of restaurants. There was no way I walking down there. I looked up just in time to see a fast food restaurant across the street, one that I never step foot in. Well, I decided that I would break my standard and walk with Betty to ensure that she had dinner. Fortunately they did sell salads. Betty and I got to know each other a bit as we enjoyed our salads. When we returned to the hotel, Betty wanted my contact info and went to my room with me for my business card. As she left we hugged. I told her that I wasn’t feeling well so I would be going straight to bed, but if she needed me that she could call. She said, “I know.”
I haven’t seen or heard from Betty since. She left the hotel at 4:30 the following morning.
Here is what she taught me. Betty taught me how to receive with grace and gratitude.
I was awed by her ability to receive without resistance or self-talk. Everything I offered her, she said yes to with NO story. No apology. No guilt. She just openly and graciously received. I wonder if I could have received so graciously like that. Could you? Would you have a story around it?
Betty was my airport angel. It may appear that I was hers. She told me I was. She assured me that I would be blessed by God! But, in reality, I am the one who received. She modeled receiving in a way I had never witnessed before.
How often have you offered someone something and they just couldn’t receive it? Are you one of those who cannot receive?
I don’t know this for sure, but I have a feeling that Betty sent out a prayer for help that day when her flight was cancelled. I could feel her despair and concerned about spending the night in the airport. I was almost certain that she could not afford a hotel. She was without her medications. I felt the call, her call for help.
Betty was a religious woman. She birthed six children, 4 girls and 2 boys. Three of the girls are ministers. Both of her boys had died. One at age 14 with leg cancer.
My sweet, sweet Betty. Where ever you are, where ever you go, I thank you for being MY angel. Thank you for being MY teacher and showing me how to receive so graciously!
Stay tuned for more to this blog when I share what my ego was saying as my Whisper was calling the shots! |
