Airport Food, a Mad Dash, and Jesus!

Airports are fascinating places.

Some people are strolling through bookstores with a latte in hand. Others are sprinting through the terminal like they're trying out for the Olympics.

On one trip, I found myself in the second group.

I was hurrying through the airport trying to catch a connecting flight. I don't even remember where I was headed, but I vividly remember what happened as I rushed to my next gate.

Just ahead of me was a dad traveling alone with two young boys. One little guy was doing his very best to keep up with those fast airport legs. The other was a toddler riding on Dad's hip.

Dad had backpacks. Carry-ons. Boarding passes. Children. And somehow, in the middle of all that, he'd managed to buy them lunch. That's impressive parenting already.

The older little boy was proudly carrying his slice of pizza as they hurried toward their gate.

Then...disaster struck.

The pizza slipped from his hands and landed—face down—on the airport floor. You know. The airport floor. The one that has probably been visited by several million pairs of shoes.

I slowed down just enough to see what Dad would do. Would he throw it away? Buy another slice?Comfort the devastated little boy?

Without missing a beat... Dad bent down...Picked up the pizza...Handed it right back to his son...And they kept walking fast.

That was it. No discussion. No hesitation. No visible concern.

Apparently, in Dad's mind, there are moments when the five-second rule becomes the "we-have-a-plane-to-catch" rule.

I laughed all the way to my gate. And yes... I also silently prayed for an exceptionally strong immune system for that little guy.

As funny as that moment was, it reminded me of something I've learned over the years.

Life rarely happens under ideal conditions. Most days aren't neat. They're rushed. Messy. Complicated.

Sometimes we're carrying more than we ever expected, trying our best to love the people God has entrusted to us.

In those moments, perfection isn't usually an option. Faithfulness is. God has never asked us to have everything perfectly together.

He simply asks us to keep trusting Him in the middle of real life.

That dad didn't have a perfect airport experience. He just kept moving forward.

Sometimes following Jesus looks less like having everything under control and more like faithfully taking the next step—even when life feels chaotic.

God isn't waiting for your schedule to calm down before He meets you.

He's already walking beside you in the terminal.

This Week’s Faith Habit

Walk.

The next time you find yourself rushing, intentionally slow your pace for just one minute.

Walk instead of rushing. Notice the people around you. Take one deep breath. Remind yourself that God is present even in the busiest moments.

Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is refuse to let hurry become our master.

And if you ever drop your pizza in an airport... may the Lord give you wisdom... and may your immune system be stronger than your appetite.😆