Straight from a Crowded Heart
By Lisa Elliott
It had been an exhaustingly wonderful weeklong visit with our daughter and her beautiful family in Manitoba. We made the trip along with my aging mother, anxious to see four of her great-grandchildren. Now for the hour-long trek back to the airport for another painful, "See you next time." "Goodbyes" had become far too difficult since the death of our son.
My daughter, thankfully an experienced Manitoba winter driver, got us all safely to the airport and in plenty of time to provide the extra assistance required for my mom. We made it through security unscathed, grabbed our Tim's, and took our seats at our gate. Two hours to quietly sit, sip our coffee, and savour the busy, fun-filled week we'd all enjoyed together.
Being with my mom also gave us the privilege of a pre-board. Therefore, we had ample time to make ourselves comfortable before the others climbed aboard. Time was evidently on our side. That is, until we found ourselves with more than enough of it. By the time all the carry-on luggage was situated and passengers took their seats, we'd already been on the plane for well over half an hour. Another hour passed before an announcement was made that there were technical issues in the cockpit. Another hour-and-a-half later we were de-planed. The good news was, the issues were resolvable. The bad news? It would take at least another three-and-a-half hours before it would be resolved and we could RE-pre-board.
Once we were back in the airport we did what every good Canadian would do. We grabbed another Tim's and took our seats close to our gate. This time, in an unoccupied section where we could reclaim some much-needed personal space.
I was just taking a deep breath when I noticed a young family of six taking up residency in the next section. The next thing I knew, they were moving all of their suitcases, snacks, and backpacks into our space. Leaving the space completely unoccupied.
How annoying was that? What was their deal? Didn't they know we needed our space? Didn't they need their own space? Why would they move from their perfectly suitable space into ours? I had no clue. Nor could I have imagined how God was about to move into the crowded space between us. Had I known, I might have created space for a more gracious attitude than the ugly one that was begging to make itself known.
I scowled as I glanced toward my husband and my mom. With a quick nod of my head and a slight raising of my eyebrows, I discreetly indicated that we should consider moving to the now-empty, section that had been evacuated by said family for no apparent reason. Too late. Someone else got there first.
Regardless of our limited space, I allowed my attitude to squeeze in and take up a seat beside me. Much to my chagrin, it served only to nudge me even closer to the oldest boy who was comfortably sitting on my other side. I guessed him to be around nine years old. He and his two younger sisters quietly coloured while their youngest sister happily sat in her stroller. Impressive! I thought.
Suddenly feeling guilty about my selfish pride and sensing the need to make the best of our cramped quarters, I pushed my attitude aside to make room for some common courtesy. I turned toward the children's mother and commented on how well-behaved her children were. She laughed and said, "Not always." I responded with a knowing smile. After all, I had raised four children myself and honestly couldn't imagine flying with them, much less keeping them amused for endless hours at an airport.
As if waiting for the opportunity, her husband jumped into the conversation. Unapologetically, he explained that their flight had been delayed. Much like ours had been. He went on to tell us that sadly, he had hoped to have the extra time before his connecting flight. Had the delay not occurred, he was planning to take his children to the hospital where his son had been treated for cancer. I cast a glance at the boy sitting next to me. But, before I could ask, he voluntarily and vulnerably informed my husband and me that his three-and-a-half-year-old son had died of leukemia three months earlier.
Without giving it another thought, we offered up our own leukemia journey involving our son, Ben. "Fifteen years fresh in our grief," I told them. This was the only prompt the grieving couple needed to begin sharing the details of their loss. We understood. The conversation that ensued spilled out and flowed as naturally--or supernaturally--as if we were long-lost friends. The couple’s three oldest children huddled close as we shared pictures, videos, and stories of our boys. Heartfelt laughter mingled with unabashed tears.
Over the course of our conversation, we discovered we not only shared mutual losses, but a mutual hope in Jesus. Which, in turn, opened the door for us to share how God has used our grief to minister to others and told them about our Hope for Grieving Parents retreats. Our hearts were ignited at the thought of bringing this retreat to Manitoba.
We wrapped up our time together with heart-to-heart embraces and the prayerful possibility that, God willing, we might meet again. If not on this side of heaven, most certainly in eternity where we would also be reunited with our boys.
By the time we boarded our separate flights, God had filled the space between us--with Himself! All because of a divinely appointed delayed moment in time. And, to think that I almost didn’t make room for Him.
Have you ever crowded God out of your life? Have you made room in your heart for Jesus? He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Rev. 3:20, NIV).
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Need a little extra encouragement? Discover more inspirational blogs by Lisa Elliott, Straight from the Heart.
About this Contributor:
Lisa Elliott is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of The Ben Ripple, Dancing in the Rain, and A Ministry Survival Guide. She’s also a writer for Just Between Us Magazine, theStory, and Good Ground. She and her husband, David, have four children (three on earth, one in heaven) and serve the Lord together in Stratford, ON, Canada.