TAXI, TAXI

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Chicago.

Very cold, very windy, Chicago.

On Saturday, after a very long day of meetings (held in a very warm conference room) – it was time to venture back to the hotel. Our group decided to brave the elements, and walk the three blocks.

My dad, who’s bent over with age, and a little "shuffly" on his feet, couldn’t make the trek.

So, we decided to hail a cab.

I have never hailed a cab in my life. And let me just tell you, "short and sweet" does not help when trying to flag down a taxi!

So, I placed myself strategically on a corner where I could work two sides of the street –

And we waited…and waited…and waited…

Was there a lack of taxis, you might ask? No, there were plenty. However, on this particular Saturday, there had been a huge St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown. And evidently, our meeting let out just about the same time that the parade ended.

So, I am competing with be-jeweled, be-loud, be-tipsy crowds of pesky revelers.

Every taxi that zipped by was occupied.

Or, as soon as an unoccupied taxi crested the hill, a random group of leprechauns snagged it before it reached me and my dad.

I felt so bad for him.

I had him bundled up like a toddler going out for the first time in the snow. I could barely see his face.

"It’s OK, Dad. I’ll keep trying."

I started to look enviously at the lucky occupants of each taxi as it flew by us. Then I started to glare. Then I was tempted to start throwing stones…

Finally, an empty taxi arrived – after about 15 minutes. A long, long time when you’re standing on a frigid, tornado zone street corner.

Dad and I clambered into our Cinderella’s coach, and enjoyed our 3-minute ride back to the hotel.

I looked over at him, he looked over at me, and we both chuckled. When we got out, I said, "Well, that was some adventure!" He smiled.

Later, at dinner, it made for a great story.

But here’s the lesson I learned.

Do you ever feel like other people’s "taxis" are zipping by you? Fully occupied, they fly on their way to their destiny, while you’re getting left behind?

Is it cold and lonely waiting?

Do you see a possibility looming on the horizon, only to have someone else snatch "your" chance out of the air?

I would encourage you with these words – God knows.

He knows exactly which "vehicle" is the right one for you. He knows just the right time for it to arrive. He sees you out there, waving frantically, trying to make something happen.

And perhaps at just the moment when you’ve lost all hope – that one opportunity will drive right up to the curb, the door will fly open…

…and you’ll hop in.

Are you ready?

It’s coming – it really is.

And when you finally arrive at your destination – when you see Him face to face – you’ll look at Him, and He’ll look at you – and you’ll both chuckle. You’ll say to Him –

"Well, that was some adventure!"

And He’ll smile.

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"