Mom Genes (not to be confused with mom jeans)

Be the best Mum you can be
The gate agent brought a little girl down for early boarding on our flight out of Tucson last week. I’ll call her Elsa since she was really into the movie Frozen.  #LetItGo Elsa had lots of Frozen gear: the back pack, the suitcase and the sweatshirt.
I was the number 1or lead flight attendant  #nohorntooting There’s really no glory in it. It just means you are responsible if something goes wrong :-/
So as the number 1, the gate agent handed me the UM (unaccompanied minor) paperwork for Elsa. I asked, “You seated her next to women?”
“Um, I’m not sure. Maybe.”
I had a hundred and one things going on up front with boarding to get us out on time as all the flight attendants do.
I asked the other FA to verify the little brown haired, green eyed freckled cutie pie
was seated in a safe place.

See we had a horrible incident with a UM on a summer flight. The man molested a girl and she was too scared to say anything during the flight. A flight attendant thought something was off and moved her but it was too late. As I read about it, I knew I would watch over any little ones that were placed on my flights more carefully. I know how those types of situations can alter sexuality when awakened too soon. Now that I follow my Father’s heart, I was NOT going to let it happen on my watch.
The flight attendant came back up to help me. I asked her about Elsa. She moved her to the back row to be closest to the galley with the other flight attendants. She said Elsa was still seated next to a guy. I called the male flight attendant in the back and he said she liked her seat on the aisle next to the guy. I said she needed to be moved. He explained he didn’t see any open seats but would try to find one.  #wewereallbusy
I poked my head into the Captain, “Cabin secure. Okay to close boarding door?” He said “Not yet. Hold off. I want to re-check the weight and balances.”

An unusual interruption at departure time with pressure to close the door on time. I remembered my little UM so I left my post at the front with the gate agent and hurried down the aisle to the back of the aircraft where Elsa was seated. The 30-something guy was chatting her up and she was all smiles and giggles. I said, “Honey, we are going to move you.”
“No, I like it here.”  #poutyface
I walked up several rows before I found a single open seat. A Christmas miracle being the week of the holiday. The seat was perfect-next to two 70 + year old grandmother type women.
I would hide little Elsa there.
I asked the two ladies if it was okay and could they watch her and take her to the bathroom if needed?
They nodded and an older man on the opposite aisle chimed in, “We are grandparents. We will keep her safe.” He was on the opposite aisle (a miracle that he hadn’t moved next to his wife in the open seat. #divineplan)
I went back and told Elsa “We’re moving.” She fussed a bit, “But he’s nice” pointing to the duck tailed young man next to her. “Let’s go.” Nothing against the guy but I wasn’t taking chances with my precious cargo.
“Sorry, sweetie.” I grabbed her bag and thankfully she followed me.
I walked back up to the front in time to hear that we were clear to close the boarding door. I asked the gate agent to pretty please sit UM’s only next to females in the future and she said she would.
I felt peaceful doing everything within my power to keep Elsa in a safe place.
Some may have felt I was being mean to “duck tail” dude but honestly he’s fine. Not a good position for him to be in either.
Or maybe I was making much ado about nothing. The other flight attendants weren’t really concerned.  #hypervigilant I’m okay with that. #safetyfirst
Some may say, pray have faith. Of course, that comes first but try telling that to a mama bear when she gets wind of danger or watch a bird over her nest.
God gives YOU AND I the wisdom, discernment and authority to bring His kingdom to this earth. To protect the weak. Look at the Holocaust - Irene Sendler.  http://www.irenasendler.org She didn’t JUST say a prayer for the Jews. She rescued over 2500 Jewish children. She loved in action even at her own peril. I’m not claiming to be an Irene Sendler by any means. I was basically doing my job by finding the safest place I could for Elsa. #judgmentcall
Moral of the story:

1 Obedience
We have to move when God says move even if we don’t understand it or don’t want to like Elsa. How many times have I NOT listened to that voice of wisdom when it came to men, friendships, situations, decisions. I did what I thought was right and what made me happy.  Making my my own way helped me feel in control of my life. Sometimes it’s not about being free or happy, it’s about God’s loving protection.
We have to trust being obedient to God is because He doesn't want to control us but to protect and love us. No safer place to be than in God’s will.

2 Mom genes (not to be confused with Mom Jeans ;)
Lisa Bevere said something along the following lines:  be the woman to the younger generation that you needed at that age.  Mother defintion verb: bearing a relation like that of a mother, as in being the origin, source, or protector. Assume as one's own. To care for or protect like a mother; act maternally toward.We don’t take place of or supersede natural mother’s but if God has placed young ‘uns or even older girls in our hands or path, we can love, protect, provide wisdom or  care for them. Do our part. Protect the weakest. Be the best Mum you can be<3 p="">

Hanging with the Oaks-Life in the slow lane

Sitting on my back porch in our rental house and looking at a yard full of dead leaves. #transition The more I learn about oak trees, the more I am astounded at what they teach me.

-Trees live life in the slow lane and don't get in a hurry #rest #peace

-Their growth is imperceptible, yet, it continues year after year

-The tightest rings in a year of their life show the smallest growth but actually are the most dense and strong. Lean times produce strength

-When one tree experiences trauma or is sick they send help through their roots or a network of fungus that links them together. They will share what they have stored.

-Oaks drop acorns and have babies that surround them

-Oak tress make their acorns in order to reproduce after they come of age but not before #Godstiming

-The oak trees in my yard offer shelter and a covering.  I noticed how they grew until their crowns touched and then started growing a different direction to not interfere with the neighbor trees #boundaries #connectionwithoutharm

-When trees are thirsty or even pruned, they send a sound wave through them like a scream. The screams can warn others of a drought. Pruning hurts but it can help them not be spread thin or go where it's harmful

-In winter, the oak tree drops all its leaves. They play dead so interlopers won't seek a home in it and destroy it. When it's not safe outside, they go internal.  They look dead but their roots are growing deeper.

God's creation is so amazing. He's all around us speaking. I pray he shows you something special through His creation today. The clouds... a beautiful flower...true colors in the changing leaves or even through all the dead leaves littering your yard. Nature is speaking if we will get in the slow lane and listen, watch and learn.  Selah.

I took this picture while laying on my back in all the dirt and leaves. Felt a little like a kid again. #childlikewonder #lifewithnofilter

CALLED TO "PEOPLE"

I was about to slide into a private spot in the busy food court at ORD airport but this dude took my spot.  #ladiesfirst #everheardofit #rude

The only other open seat was at a community table.  A boy sitting catty corner to me.  He looked like my youngest son.  I reluctantly took my seat and made sure to keep my headphones in.  After dealing with 320 people on the airplane already for the day, I wasn’t interested in “people-ing” at the moment.  #leavemebe #needtobreathe

I made a mental note of the large gold bling on the kid’s neck. An intricate and what looked to be handmade gold cross.  It hung out from his sweater and even over his parka.  Either he was a rapper or he loved Jesus… #saltandpeppashere #washethesalt #aJesuslover #orboth

Was this a divine appointment?

I asked the Lord, “How do you see this young man?”

-Frontiersman  

-John Wayne 

-Lead the way

-Independent

-Doesn’t need a lot of anything or anyone

-Lonely

Sigh.  I guess God wanted me to “people” again today.  

I pulled the earphones out.  

Everyone within earshot got up and left like I had cut one but the air was still fresh.  Should I say something? I felt a God nod. 

I started with something we might have in common.

“Nice necklace.”

Synopsis of the convo that followed:  

-student from Czechoslovakia traveling home (hard to spell #notphonetic #squigglyredlineswontgoaway)  

-not a Jesus lover

-He was not, in fact, a rapper OR the white meat of a salt & peppa band.  

-necklace was a gift from his great grandmother to her grandchildren before she passed away at the ripe old age of 90.   His father had pulled a re-gift and given it to him.

CG (Czech guy) told a fascinating story about the gift giver.  His Great Grandmother lived through the Holocaust!  She was German but she married a Czechoslovakian solder (his great grandfather).  She wasn’t Jewish.  She betrayed her country by marrying a soldier of the enemy so the Nazis arrested her.  She went to a concentration camp called Theresienstadt (he spelled it 4 times for me and i still couldn’t get it. why don’t Czech’s do phonetic spelling?)  Miraculously she lived and had the tattooed numbers on her arm to prove her imprisonment. Her husband lived and hence the necklace to the grandchildren.  

My version of what happened next: 

Me after story:  Okay so she was a Christian

CG:  Maybe. I don’t know.  Maybe she was catholic or something

Me:  Well, do you think that’s why she gave your dad a necklace of the cross… Because she loved Jesus?

CG Religion in Europe is not like in the United States.  People in Europe don't really believe in God. 

Basically saying he didn’t believe in God.

I could have put a placid look on my face, “That’s nice.” #peaceout #earphonesbackin #yay #idonthavetopeopleanymore

However, I DID NOT take the subtle hint that he wasn’t picking up what I was putting down.  I didn’t feel like I was forcing it though- and there is a difference.  Pushers are annoying.  Go to downtown fort worth and see the street preachers grabbing sinners by their collars or Westboro Baptist picket line towards the gays or anyone else they don’t agree with.  #ineffective #wasteoftime #idonotliketowastetime #wehavetobeledbytheSpirit #ledbylove

I mean that should have been a conversation ender but I kept on trucking in the convo with an ever so slight small speed bump with his unbelief.

So I could not believe how bold I got in that moment.  I felt love and concern spurring me on.  Fueled by the fact that this young man may not ever have another moment like this.  If I had gone on to Heaven and one of my children’s children was sitting with a believer,  I would be watching from Heaven begging them DON’T STOP.   PLEASE do not leave until you say what God sent you to say.  To give my future generations a chance no matter how far they had wandered from the path of truth.  Then let them decide.  I could not squander this moment.   Grandma was watching!  

I didn’t beat around the bush.

Me:  Well, sometimes God sends me to people whose relatives have gone on to Heaven and they want their family to know that God is real.  They want them to be in Heaven with them one day.    I felt like I heard something for you.  How God sees you.  Would it be okay if I shared that?

CG:  (awkward pause) Um. Okay.  

( I would have respected his no.  BUT I would have really loved an enthusiastic YES PLEASE. okay would work though) 

I shared the John Wayne/frontiersman/lead the way stuff.  Maybe it’s wishful thinking but he seemed to relate and absorb it.   I continued:

God is real.  I think your Great Grandmother would want you to know that.  He brought her through the Holocaust or you wouldn’t be here sitting with me.

Him:  I don’t know.  I don’t know if He is real.

He sounded like he was searching. Just hadn’t met God for himself.

Me: Thank you for being honest with me.  I’m not trying to push anything on you.  

But He is real.  The proof is hanging right around your neck.

I pointed at his chain. I paused.  It was getting awkward.  Let’s lighten it up.

Me:  Hey, I don’t even know your name.  I’m Jennifer.  

We shook hands.

CG: My name is Jacob or Yakov in my country

Me:  After the Jacob in the bible?

CG:  Really?  This is how little I know about God…I had no idea my name was in the bible.

I told him the story of Jacob being a twin, the younger brother, but being the leader. God chose the second born to lead.  I’m not sure  what this meant to him but it seemed like this story might mean something to him.  Maybe he was a twin?  I don’t know.  The story of Jacob reminded me of the word from God that he was to “lead the way”

I felt a release.  Like I said what needed to be said and now it was up to God to do what only He could do.  Love was delivered.  #gottabounce

I scooted my chair back.  “It’s been a pleasure to talk with you but I have to go now.   Either I'm just some crazy lady you met at an airport or I'm bringing you a really important message.  Keep your eyes open because if they are showing a John Wayne picture on the airplane or you see some confirmation of what I said, then you need to consider that God is real and He’s talking to you, Jacob.”  

Headed to my next flight to end my 12 hr day. As I walked, I talked to God.  Not sure how all that went but to please confirm things for Jacob.  Cover my mistakes.  Let him hear what he needed to hear and send more people to talk about Jesus on Jacob’s path (will you agree with me in that prayer?)  

I put my headphones in.  A song by Mark Schultz cycled on immediately as I walked.  I hadn’t heard it in ages. The song is about someone who had gone on before and wanted to be remembered still.  “I remember you.  Will you remember me?  Remember me in a bible cracked and faded… child of wonder child of God. I remember you. Will you remember me?”  These words sang out into my ears.  A confirmation. 

If we don’t deliver the messages of love and truth, who will? We might be tired.  Tired of “people-ing” We might not get the response that makes us feel warm and fuzzy.  But God calls us to His “people.”  It could be the difference between life and death.   Will you say yes?  Be on the lookout for opportunities and be brave!