When Plans are Rearranged . . .

The word delayed scrolled across my screen. Ugh!

So we waited 52 minutes.

The word delayed scrolled again. Double Ugh!

So we waited the next 1 hour and 58 minutes, on top of the already 52 minutes.

Only to see the American Airlines text informing that the flight was now cancelled. CANCELED!??? Wait, what? But . . . we had plans. We had commitments. We had a deadline.

So, while sitting at gate A-6, we pulled up our next available flight options. Terry and I held our separate phones, and as we clicked to book the same next flight. It would be cutting it short but it would still work.

However, as we clicked, he got on the next available flight at 6:30 pm, and I did not. My option was the midnight ride into St. Louis with no rental open that late. The thought of the wife flying into a less than safe area, getting an Uber at midnight, somehow did not settle well with my wise husband.

So, after a long wait in line, we both now are people-watching for the next 5 hours, waiting for the midnight ride to St Louis.

Funny, I left work at 12 pm, and with my delays, I am not flying out until 11 pm. I could have driven to St Louis faster than my now current plan.

I realized at this moment, I had two choices (as I talked myself off the ledge). I could choose to let my attitude spiral downward because my expectations were not met. Or I could decide to roll with it. :)

Though in reality, this was such a simple problem, sometimes it is the littlest of things where I struggle to control my attitude.

How about you? Are you swayed by external events or your internal thoughts? What is a girl to do when she feels her attitude spiraling South over the simplest things?

Here’s what is helping me:

Understand that when we control our mind, we control our conduct. Our thoughts are the control center for our body, which determines our actions. So when you protect your thoughts, you protect your attitude. In other words, control your mind, and you will control your conduct.

Proverbs 4:23 reads, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” It is so true!

In this moment of people watching, behind a mask for hours I had to remind myself that this was a first-world problem. Right???

Sometimes, I forget to thank the Lord for the small things. Ladies, you and I can decide to move forward with a positive attitude instead of being pulled into negative thoughts and negative actions. We have a choice. We have the power. We have the goodness of a Holy Spirit living within us, giving grace for the big victories and small victories in our everyday living.

Then I search for a solution that is a win/win for everyone involved. The best plan was for me to be grateful for a husband that cares for my safety. The best part of me is learning to keep my mouth from whining or complaining. The best solution for me is to politely thank the lady behind the computer screen with her thankless job and long line of frustrate frequent flyers. The best of the best ideas was to turn this into a date night at the airport with a slow dinner and a movie on our devices. Win- WIn.

Ladies, whatever you face today – no matter how small or big the challenge, remember to guard your mind. Our attitudes are won within! When you control your mind, you control your conduct. When you control your conduct, you control your character.

Guard your heart today because everything you do flows from it.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)