When Plans Go Awry Adapt

It was 4:05 am, and I was in my hotel room preparing to catch a 6:05 plane I would never ride. Sometimes things don’t turn out as planned.

I was headed to Cincinnati to attend a pastor’s conference and had done a sad job of planning for this journey. April and May have been heavy travel months for me this year as I visited Montana, Hilton Head Island, New York City, Old Town Alexandria, and Baltimore several times. Finally, I’ll leave for Europe tomorrow. I thoroughly enjoy hopping around the world to exciting places, but occasionally, I am not so good at timing.

I was to leave for the home of Skyline Chili on Tuesday and return Thursday at 11:59 pm, then drive home from BWI, sleep a few hours, and drive to Dulles to end up in Zurich, Switzerland, Saturday morning. What idiot plans a three-day trip, arriving home late into the night and then rise a few hours later for another twelve hours of travel? Answer: This idiot.

So, when I came to my senses, I changed my strategy. I would still fly out Tuesday but come home Wednesday, giving me a day to prepare for the next journey. In order to make this adjustment, American Airlines canceled my first two flights and then rebooked them both, or at least I thought.

I was mostly asleep while I brushed my teeth and showered. I blow-dried my hair, trying to cover up a bad haircut, and then picked up the can of hairspray, pointed it at my head, and pushed the button. Out came a huge white stream of foam covering my freshly dressed hair, part of my face, and travel bag. The shaving cream container looks amazingly similar to the hair spray can at four in the morning. My head was now expanding with fluffy white foam.

I was now awake!

After repairing the damage, I packed up and drove to Fast Park 2, where I was shuttled to the American Airlines entrance. I stepped up to the Priority counter and handed the attendant my Global Entry I.D. “Where are you headed,” he said. “Chicago, then Cincinnati,” I replied. I could still smell Harry’s shaving cream as we chatted. I could tell by his look that there was a problem. “You don’t have a reservation.” “What!?,” I replied. “Indeed, I do have a reservation. Here is my trip I.D.”  Hmmm, was the look on his face as he scanned the screen looking for a Don Hamilton on the 6:05 flight.

“This reservation is for a flight from Cincinnati to Baltimore on Thursday,” he explained. “You are not booked on the 6:05 flight.” “But I spent forty-five minutes for a callback and another thirty to change this trip. The reservationist told me I was all set.” He kindly stated, “I am sorry, sir, you do not have a seat on this plane.” He was clearly befuddled, so he consulted a nearby seasoned clerk for advice. She looked at the situation and told him to call – somewhere. He then apologetically explained that I would have to call AA Reservations to clear up the matter and then return to him so he could get me on my way.

If you travel often, these things happen, but they are never pleasant. But I was too sleepy to get overly angry, so I dutifully marched to the large bench across the corridor, laid out my information, and made the call. I explained the situation, to which the person on the other end of the conversation said, “I’m very sorry, but you are not booked on this flight. You canceled this reservation.” “But I rebooked it,” I retorted. “I’m sorry, sir, but you did not rebook this flight.” I wanted to say, “I did so,” like a six-year-old, but I refrained. “Well, please get me on it,” I patiently replied. “I’m sorry, sir, but there are no more seats on this flight.”

Now the expletives are trying to emerge, but I wisely concealed those words and inquired about the next flight. The ultimate result was that I would barely make the evening session, sleep a few hours, and then fly back to BWI, followed by an hour-and-a-half drive to Shetland Court. “Just cancel the trip.” At that moment, I realized, “Hamilton, you should never have planned this trip in the first place.” But I was trying to do my duty as a board member of the sponsoring organization. It was a noble but dumb thought.

I stopped at the “83 Diner” on the way home because it was the only restaurant open that early. I met a delightful older server who referred to me as “sweetie” and “honey.” She sat across from me in the booth, placed her chin on her hand, and said, “This job wears me out!” We both laughed and made amusing remarks to one another the entire time I was eating. I couldn’t finish all my food, and she chided me, “You shouldn’t have ordered two slices of French Toast and all that other stuff now, should you, sweetie?” I hung my head and replied, “No, ma’am.” We both laughed out loud as she cleared the table.

As I woofed down my breakfast, I quietly reflected on the morning’s events and the trip in general. This twist of fate would now provide me leisurely time to tie up loose ends and head for Europe rested and relaxed. “Get over it. You are now forced to do what you should have done previously.” I got over it.

I drove my shaving cream-cologned head home and have enjoyed two days preparing for a two-week bucket list vacation.

It is not a question of if our best-laid plans will get rudely interrupted – it’s when. Unexpected twists and turns are part and parcel of life, and the question is how we will handle the shifting sands of unforeseen intrusions. We can either get angry and bitter or turn lemons into lemonade. I wish I always chose the latter path, but I’m only getting there. How about you?

Have you ever considered how often Jesus was interrupted? The answer is daily, sometimes hourly.

“15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.” (Luke 18:15 NLT)

I’ve always found this episode amusing and instructive. Once Jesus became well-known, His schedule filled to exhausting measures. People expected things from Him nearly every minute of every day. His closest followers and friends observed this process and then formed opinions about His priorities. “He is a busy man, and we better guard His schedule so that He does what’s most important in God’s work.”  In their opinion, this “work” did not include messing with insignificant little imps called children. Wrong!

 Insignificant children were the Teacher’s work, as were sick women tugging at His tunic and blind beggars calling out His name in the middle of a sermon. Religious leaders who opposed Him regularly rudely interrupted the Master’s schedule with wily inquiries designed to confound the Teacher.

And there are times when interferences must be confronted and dismissed. Jesus’ good friend Peter once tried to change the Messiah’s plans. Jesus explained that He would suffer and die before His mission on earth was complete, which roused the impetuous disciple. “No way! As long as I’m around, no one will ever mess with my Teacher. You shall never suffer, Jesus!”

Jesus quickly and decisively responded to this intrusion into His schedule. “Indeed, I will suffer and die, and you better be glad I’m willing to do it, Peter. You have no idea what you are talking about. Get out of the way, Satan. You don’t have the purpose of God in mind, and you will not deter Me.” Yikes, that hurt! Sometimes it is okay to confront an interruption, but we must be wise about when it is appropriate.

Changes, intrusions, and interruptions challenge us often. It is wise to turn them upside down and let them become opportunities for constructive and fruitful outcomes. Here are some suggestions for handling these situations.

·      Count to ten. Respond slowly and deliberately only after you’ve taken a moment to control your emotions.

·      Realize an intrusion, by definition, is your problem. A change of plans may be thrust upon you, but nevertheless, it has become your issue. Now your ego, time, and energy must be involved. Maturity causes one to pause and own the situation. The fact that someone had screwed up my plan is part of life. Handling the encounter productively is my problem. We all mess up one another’s plans sometimes.

·      Don’t allow yourself to lose your cool over something you cannot change.

·      Look for possible good outcomes which are always present.

·      Curb your entitlement mentality. You don’t always deserve to have everything go smoothly and as planned.

·      Treat perceived intruders with respect and compassion.

·      When you lose your cool and spout off, choose the high road, and apologize if necessary.  

·      Cut yourself some slack; you’re not Jesus.

Well, I’ve had plenty of time to write this post, as evidenced by its length. I now have time to tie up loose ends before my next journey and perhaps even watch a little Ted Lasso tonight before I leave in the morning.

Thanks to American Airlines for the interruption of my all-important and well-planned schedule.

Live Inspired!

Don Mark