The Suitcase: A Testimony
by Jane Josephs
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” –Matthew 7:7
For the last five or six years my husband and I have traveled to Chicago to see our grandchildren perform in their school’s spring musical. This year was no exception until my nephew’s wife died after a long battle with cancer and our daughter offered to drive us from Chicago to Cincinnati on Friday to attend the funeral service on Saturday.
The trip began uneventfully; the air was crisp and cold but the sun was up and shining. The wind, however, had a mind of its own, and soon we would feel its full effect as traffic came to a standstill on I-65 South. Four hours later, after my daughter had managed to get off the highway, we heard the delay had been caused when a tanker truck had been blown over, spilling propane all over the highway. We considered turning back. Instead, we had breakfast for dinner at Denny’s Restaurant and decided to press on. We finally arrived at our hotel at 11:00 pm.
The next day (Saturday) was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time as we participated in a Spirit-led service that paid tribute to the goodness of the Lord and gave account of the many, many blessings that our niece-in-law had showered upon others. Late that afternoon we headed back to our hotel to prepare for our return trip to Chicago the next day.
Freezing rain had been predicted for the area, but thankfully it held off, and we arrived at O’Hare Airport right on time to make our flight back to San Diego on Sunday. We settled in at our gate to wait. And that’s when the plane delays began.
Within a couple of hours, no planes were getting in or out of O’Hare and our flight was canceled. The wheelchair staff came to do a “wellness check” on me. The halls at O’Hare filled up with long lines of travelers looking to rebook flights. I explained to the attendant that I would need to retrieve my suitcase because for the first time ever I had packed my meds instead of carrying them on the plane with me. He wheeled me to the head of the line!
Down at baggage claim, the attendant told me it could be up to four hours before my suitcase would be sent out on the carousel. My daughter was already on her way back to O’Hare to get us. The weather was worsening. I began to quietly pray underneath my breath. We parked ourselves at the spot on the carousel where the luggage comes from the back room. I called for a restroom break.
On our way back to the baggage carousel. I told my husband we should take one more look for my suitcase, and you guessed it! As we arrived at the spot where the luggage comes out of the back room onto the carousel, there came my bag! The Lord had heard my prayer! As an added bonus, the kids had the next day off from school!
Dear Lord, You are the giver of every good gift! In our time of need You are never far away. Thank You, Lord, for Your love and faithfulness. All praise and glory be Yours! Amen.