Runway Emotions

I've heard people say that they were minding their own business, sitting at a light on the way home, and a song came on, or a smell drifted in from a restaurant....and BAM, they dissolved into tears. All of a sudden, their emotions are transported right back to the person who loves that song or the last time they talked with a lost loved one, or the place where they had their last favorite meal with someone they miss. Emotions can ambush you, showing up at the most unexpected times and leave you perplexed...where did they come from?.....how can they be so strong?!

Yesterday, Phil and I were sitting at a restaurant called the Elephant Bar in San Francisco. Our big picture window looked out onto the bay and the runways of the airport. We were watching planes take off and land, enjoying a relaxed lunch, reminiscing about our time there. As I took a bite of my crab and shrimp salad, I looked out and watched a huge 747 jetliner from Singapore coast onto the runway. I'm thinking about how it is packed with passengers who have just ended a very long journey, and they are anxious to deplane and meet their loved ones. Out of nowhere, I am overwhelmed with emotion and begin to cry. Phil looks over at me and is shocked at the change in my demeanor from the minute before when we were smiling and laughing. He tries to figure it out and asks me if I need to leave. Tears are pouring down my cheeks, and I feel like I'm about to really sob. I realized the minute I saw the plane coming in that my mind had jumped to waiting for Emily's plane from Asia to land, bringing her home to us after eleven long months of separation. I imagined myself as one of those loved ones at the arrival gate, holding a sign, searching the faces, and anticipating that moment when we would finally be reunited and I could put my arms around her once again. I realized that I had been holding in so many emotions for so long, not allowing myself to let them escape, knowing that once free, there would be no stopping my tears. I realized at that one moment how much I longed to let go of fears and look into her eyes again....how much I've really really missed her....painfully missed her. I knew that the restaurant wasn't the place or time to experience the full onslaught of those feelings, so I fought them back into submission again. I feel so raw, so vulnerable...

But I can wait two more months...

Generation Cause

One of the trademarks of this generation is globalization. Through the internet and travel, the whole world is accessible. Awareness motivates our young adults to enact change by driving energy and passion towards causes needed worldwide without letting hurdles and obstacles hold them back. At the very least, they are going and seeing and learning and doing what they can to make a difference. They don’t let language barriers, financial limitations, or inexperience restrain them…they’ve already reached a comfort level with these issues and found a way to jump the hurdles in order to pursue their goals. Their biggest fear is inaction and complacency. Cultures may be slow in changing, but these world changers are more available now than any time in history to carry out divine tasks and do so without fear and excuse. Even without expertise, they push ahead and strive for excellence, if possible, but accept that working towards a goal may mean achieving it the best way they can while preserving the culture and dignity of those they go to serve rather than imposing directives from their first-world church. Therefore, though they don’t compromise their message of love and their purpose of reaching lost people for Christ, they also intend to meet the physical needs of their global friends and realize that it’s a process, that what they begin may not come to fruition until they’re gone. They accept that they’re part of a plan and not meant to receive the glory for accomplishing it. I heard a quote that describes this generation admirably; it seems they embrace it as they follow God and serve Him… and it says, ”there’s no limit to the good a man can do if he doesn’t care who gets the credit.” ~ Albert Schweitzer. If egotism is not what motivates a person, then there’s no limit to what he or she can achieve with others working as a team rather than as individuals striving for recognition. This generation defines why the mission of the World Race has gained so much momentum in the last five years. I’ve recognized these characteristics in the World Racers as I’ve read their blogs and followed their journeys. As a result, they are gleaning new values from their experiences which are shaping their adult lives and ensuring that they will mark their generation and the one to come for Christ and His kingdom.