I went to Cabo with my parents recently. Praise the Lord for a chance to relax! Although it didn’t start that way. My parents didn’t bring their passports since the booking agent told my mom they only needed a government ID. Hindsight makes it funny (one of those “Remember that time” stories), but nobody was laughing that morning.
By the time my sister brought their passports to the airport, it was too late for my parents to check-in to the flight. I had checked-in earlier, so it was my mad dash through the security gate that had me frazzled. Although, it wasn’t really a dash since the lines were long. I was last to board the plane, and within a minute of boarding, they closed the cabin doors.
Three hours later I was in Cabo. Four more hours later, my parents arrived from a later flight. I waited for them at the small airport because my mom had the shuttle information. And alright, I didn’t have the guts to venture out on my own.
Afterall, yo habló un poquito español solamente (I only speak a little Spanish). Single and alone in a different country, the flurries I get when I travel by myself amped up exponentially. I sat my behind down on a chair and didn’t move until I absolutely must find food. Sadly, the only place that sold food – the only store accessible to Arrivals – was closed.
The last time I flew by myself was to Florida. I don’t remember why I had a different flight from my family, but my connecting flight was delayed. I was stuck in the Utah airport for a very long time, but I was stuck at the Departure area where stores are a plenty. I explored my little legs out, shopping for souvenirs and using food vouchers from the airlines.
After Utah, getting stuck in an airport was fun. Time passed quickly. After Cabo, whether getting stuck in an airport is fun or draining would depend on the airport. What part of the airport you’re stuck in? Where is the airport? What country or city? What is around it?
But also, what kind of person are you?
Single and traveling alone, I try to maintain an openness to the people and culture around me while staying vigilant and aware. Admittedly though, I wouldn’t have minded getting stuck in Utah longer if it gave me the chance to venture out of the airport. I felt a sense of safety because I was still in my country where I knew the language, the currency, and how to find my way home.
There’s a freedom in traveling within your own country. You’re not automatically safe, but wherever you go, you know you have certain rights. And even though every city or state is different and has its own culture, you have a general idea of how things work because each place is part of one country. Your country, your home.
It’s the same with God’s family.
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” Ephesians 2:19 (NIV).
As members of God’s family, as citizens of His people, we have certain rights and privileges. We have a freedom in living this life because we belong to God. There’s no guarantee of total safety. Bad things still happen. But we own the promises God gave in His Word. Promises of salvation, grace, mercy, forgiveness, provisions, safety, healing, joy, peace, and more. Wherever we go, we can be sure that God is with us. We are in His arms.
And you know what?
We don’t need to remember our passports. Our citizenship to God’s family is His Spirit within us.
Linking up today with The Single Life.
