After several months of planning, a group of twelve family members and friends, headed to Los Cabos, Mexico, for my oldest child’s “milestone” birthday. Dionne and I share a birthday and we looked forward to the birthday celebration on December 22, 2022, during our week in Mexico.
Our amazing week in Mexico included beautiful weather, camel rides, ATV adventures, a boat ride on Dionne’s actual birthday, days by the pool, all we could eat and drink, and much more. The weather in Canada had taken a turn for the worse with unseasonable temperatures in the minus forties counting wind chill. I was thankful to be away during that time and to enjoy the blessings of the Lord.
Flight Cancellations
On December 24, although we all had returning flights to our various destinations, things didn’t go as planned for most of us. The Toronto and Vancouver folks left on their shuttle at 10:05 a.m. We prayed together, took some group pictures, and sent them on their way. On our way to check out of the resort, Dionne met us partway and informed us that our flight had been delayed. We were now scheduled to depart at 6:29 p.m. the following day. We did not anticipate spending Christmas in Mexico, but the matter was out of our control and in God’s hands. We were thankful we were able to extend our stay at the resort another day. I reasoned that if I had to be stranded, the resort was the best place to be.
We learned that while the Toronto passengers had been delayed a bit, their flight did take off. Unfortunately, Jarett’s flight to Vancouver was canceled, and he was shuttled to another hotel with his fellow passengers. I was shocked when I heard that, wondering why the airline did not send him back to the same resort he had just left, especially since six of us were still there. I took comfort in the fact that he was not stranded in the airport and was safe and fed. We were thankful to be able to communicate via Wi-Fi, WhatsApp, and FaceTime.
Jarett’s flight was rescheduled for Christmas Day as well, which was not too bad. We looked forward to seeing each other at the airport the following day, as his flight was scheduled to depart at 5:30 p.m., an hour before ours. At noon on Christmas day, Jarett let me know that his flight had been canceled and rescheduled for December 26 at 8:00 a.m. I was not impressed, as that meant we would be leaving a day before him.
Our shuttle arrived at 1:45 p.m., and we departed for the airport with several other rescheduled travelers. The flight was a bit late, however, and we arrived in Edmonton just prior to midnight but we were happy to be home.
Left Behind
Jarett was not so fortunate, as his flight was once again delayed to 8:00 a.m., December 27. And you guessed it, that too was canceled, and I felt sick to my stomach knowing that my son had been left behind and alone in Mexico. Yet I was immediately reminded that throughout the Bible we are admonished not to be afraid. Hebrews 13:5, 6 says “Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So, we can boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” I claimed that promise on behalf of Jarett, who was not truly alone, encouraging him to seek the Lord in the matter.
Left behind! When I think of those two words I consider feelings of abandonment, loneliness, despair, isolation, unworthiness, rejection, and frustration. No one wants to be left behind. Jarett did not choose to be left behind while his family returned home. It was a matter of circumstances that were out of his or our control.
After His death, burial, and resurrection, when Jesus ascended to Heaven, He left His faithful followers behind; however, they were not alone. In John 16:7 we are told “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. Verse 13 states: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Jesus is coming back to Earth again. John 14:1–3 declares: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
It's Our Choice: Accept or Reject
Whether or not we are left behind when Jesus comes again is not up to chance but up to us; we can either accept Him or reject Him. Choose today whom you will serve: Jesus or Satan. Jesus does not want anyone to perish, but to have eternal life. Second Peter 3:9 states “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” No one is left behind!
On December 27, I went on the charter airline’s website and noted a statement that basically said if passengers made their own arrangements to return home, they could submit claims for reimbursement. I called Jarett, who happened to be online with a friend trying to find a flight. We linked a three-way call so that each of us could get on our devices to find an affordable one-way ticket to Vancouver. The boys had been at it for over an hour, and the fares kept climbing. Earlier that morning I joined my prayer partner in petitioning God to open a way for Jarett, and He did just that. A deal popped up and Jarett was able to secure a ticket home. He got his stuff together while his friend checked him in online. We prayed and sent him off to catch an Uber to the airport. Without Wi-Fi, Jarett was off the grid for an hour, but he was never outside of God’s watchful eyes.
Jarett let me know upon arrival at the airport that the line was very long. I had been tracking the flight, so I informed him that it was 24 minutes late. That brief grace period gave him time to check his bag and clear security. No gate was identified at the time, but I kept encouraging my son that he had made progress. I was hopeful that God heard our cries and answered us. Jarett sent a picture of the plane at the gate and a final one with him on the plane. What a relief! We praised God for deliverance.
Call to Action
Jesus is coming again to deliver us from this sin-sick world. Just as we waited for our flights, not knowing exactly when the plane would come to take us back to Canada, so it is that no one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will return. I pray that you and I will be ready to go home with Jesus when He comes again. Today brings us one day closer to His soon return. Get ready! Stay ready!
All scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
