I had to write about the God things that happened to me in Kentucky last week.
The song lyrics, "God is on the throne. He reigns forever more. Just think about it…just think about it…” have been stuck in my head all week.
I’m on the plane flying home from Louisville right now. I have tears in my eyes thinking about the ways God provided for me this trip.
It was almost like God parted the sea for me today, especially since I woke up a little anxious about needing to meet a customer and then rush to the airport.
Well, let me tell you how my day went.
I couldn't have gotten home without a few key people God worked it all out.
I managed to make a sale with a customer this morning before rushing to the airport to fly back to California.
It was truly a rush since this was my first in person sale since starting in sales last year.
There were no other flights out today so I was making that flight, even if I was going to live on the edge of my seat. I gave a demo in an exposition yard a mile long before getting the shuttle to go back to the hotel to get my bag and head to the airport. Wowzas.
I ran to catch the bus back to the hotel.
I see the spots for the bus lines— mind you there are like eleven buses going in and out of this exposition center. It took me a good 10 minutes to sprint walk to the bus. I think I have shin splints from walking so fast, and I prayed the entire walk that the bus for my hotel would magically be there.
You just can’t make this stuff up.
Sure enough one bus was in that line.
One out of eleven.
It was Clarence!!
I had remembered him from the morning. He had driven us to the exposition center hours prior.
He gave me the biggest grin and said “there you are, let’s go!”
I mentioned when I got off the bus earlier that morning I needed to leave around 10:30.
And there he was -- almost like he was waiting for me.
God moment number one.
I got on the bus smiling and elated.
I had managed to get a customers deposit for an almost $200K order (hence why I was running a little late to the airport - I was doing a demo with a customer and needed to get that deposit before I left!)
I couldn’t believe that the only bus there was the one I needed to get on. I asked Clarence if he believed in God and he said he sure did!
I sat there on my phone as he started up the bus.
Well in typical everyday with Elsa fashion, nothing comes that simply.
The bus wouldn’t start.
I kid you not.
I started to look up Ubers and how far away they were.
Time was ticking to get to the airport.
After a few minutes and a lot of sweat, the bus starts and we head to the hotel. Phew!
That was close.
I joked with Clarence that that was just the devil trying to mess with us. He laughed. He then asked me if I was the one that used to be named Claire.
He had heard me talking earlier that morning to coworkers about my name and how I went by my middle name of Claire until I was 9.
He smiled at me and said he had a granddaughter named Claire (at least that’s what I think he said, it was sort of hard to hear him because buses are loud) and I smiled.
I said something to him that I thought Claire meant the power of God and I’d take it.
He told me he had 14 grandkids and a bunch of great grand kids. He’s been married 37 years and loves being a bus driver. People need God and they need encouragement - and he said over the years he’s seen a lot of depressed people.
I couldn’t believe the bus was moving and the plan was working. Like God, is this real? And I'm having this jovial conversation with Clarence.
Thank you!
I get to the hotel to get my luggage and take the shuttle to the airport.
Clarence just did the shuttle for the expo show - had to catch another one to the airport!
The ladies at the front desk were waiting for me with my bag —grabbed my luggage and met Lance, the Hilton shuttle driver to head to the airport.
All the while I’m feeling exhilarated.
Wow, I sold a huge piece of equipment. I’m gonna make my flight. God you’re working it all out!!
I joked with Lance that Lance Bass was my favorite person in *NSYNC.
While on this shuttle bus, I start rearranging my bag. I was chit chatting with Lance.
I start rummaging through my purse. Check my pockets.
“Wait a second…” I say to myself.
“Where’s my phone??”
“Oh my gosh. Where is my phone!”
Honestly in 2022, there is no worse feeling - especially when you’re about to be travel alone across the country.
I start to panic.
Checking my backpack and purse over and over. “Where did I just stick it?? I know I had it!”
I tell Lance and he hands me his phone. “Here, call your phone.”
“No no, I don’t think it’s in here. Let me call the hotel real quick maybe I left it on the counter at the front desk!”
I call the hotel.
Not on the counter at the front desk.
“Crap!!!” I think to myself.
Lance again says, “call your phone, maybe it’s in here.”
I should have given him a bigger tip for not laughing in my face.
I call my phone from Lance’s phone and hear it ring immediately.
Honestly, why do I make my life harder for myself??
It was right under my backpack. Like again, you can’t make this up. Definitely was moving a little too fast.
I laughed with Lance and was dropped off at the airport before I knew it.
God moment #2.
I changed in the bathroom out of my Redwings and jeans to sneaks and sweats, checked my bag in and headed to security.
Again, I’m all worried about missing my flight?
The security line is a million miles long.
Now the TSA pre-check line?
Empty.
Thank you Jesus I have pre-check.
God moment #3. God always knows! He’s always taking care of us!
I get through security with time to spare, even have time to catch up on work and get a coffee. I board my flight.
Middle seat. Ugh.
The sweet girl who has the window seat mentions she doesn’t like the window — she gave me the window seat. She willingly sat in the middle. I think she was an angel.
God moment #4.
Need I keep counting??
As I’m typing this, I just landed in Atlanta. Have a few hours to kill and then I’m home bound to San Diego.
I want to keep this short and sweet so it packs a punch.
God’s got you.
Stop thinking he doesn’t.
He loves you. He’s the one on the throne. He’s the one that worked out every single one of these details to get me home today and he always knows what’s he’s doing.
Trust him.
He’s on the throne.
He reigns forever more.
Just think about it :)
Stay tuned for part 2 and what will go down during my 4 hour layover in Atlanta!!
** was on a completely full flight so San Diego with another middle seat…well the one empty seat on the plane? The aisle next to me. I scooted on over, watched movies and laughed like an idiot on the entire plane ride home. And then my sweet friend ended up being able to pick me up at the airport, we went to dinner and got to catch up.
God works everything out. I promise!!
... God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Written October 21, 2022