A couple weeks ago, my daughter was the flower girl in my younger cousin’s wedding in Dallas, Texas.   Olivia had been excited about her role in the ceremony for months!  My sister and her daughter were also flying down with us, as her daughter was a junior bridesmaid in the ceremony.  How fun it was going to be for a weekend of celebration and great times!   

     The wedding was beautiful, and everyone had a great time at the reception.  The next day, all four of us boarded our flight for our return trip to Indiana.  We had a change of planes in Detroit, and it was here that I was reminded of an important life lesson.   

     Our change of planes at the Detroit airport was on a different terminal, so we needed to walk through an underground tunnel to the other side where our next terminal was located.  The underground tunnel was about the length of a football field, with blue and green flowing lights on the side and ceiling as if we were underwater.  With our carry-on luggage in tow, we were almost half way across the tunnel, when all of the sudden red lights from above started flashing on and off.  To the regular person, this may seem pretty cool.  But to those of us who have vertigo, I wanted to crawl in a hole.   

     My sister could tell that the constant flashing of lights was making me sick, and I couldn’t go on.  The constant flashing of the lights was triggering activity in my brain that was making me dizzy and sick. She extended her hand and told me to close my eyes.  She guided me down the rest of the tunnel, while keeping our two daughters in line as well.  I don’t know what I would have done had she not been there to help me.   

     There may be times in our lives where we don’t know what to do and where we feel that we can’t go on.  Just as walking at the beginning of the tunnel, our lives can seem peaceful and going along just fine.  Then, all of the sudden, the bright, flashing red lights start.  Something may come along that totally rocks our world.  How are you going to handle it?  Will you address it or hope it goes away on its own (which it usually doesn’t)?   

     When you encounter such an event, I’d encourage you to reach out to others that can help you.  This isn’t about being too proud to ask for help.  This is about accepting the gracious gift of others wanting to offer their help. Had I not reached out and accepted my sister’s help, I may still be back in Detroit.  J  

     There is one person who has been there for me when I’ve needed help in every situation and who has never left my side.  That person is Jesus Christ.  He has reached out and extended his helping hand to me in so many situations, and I trust him as my Lord and Savior.  He died on the cross for my sins and provided a way for me to join him in heaven.   

     So, when the bright red lights start flashing in your life, now you will have some thoughts on what to do.  As for me, it now may be a good excuse to ask for one of those cool, motorized airport escorts if I travel alone.