To Arrowhead and Back Again

Arrowhead Bible's
a great place to teach
though Fishtail, Montana's
not easy to reach.

My students are eager
to learn from God's Word.
Staff's helpful in serving;
no murmurings heard.

Lectures and quizzes
and papers all due,
Before you can know it
the class is all through.

The week in Montana
has drawn to a close;
I shut my computer
and pack up my clothes.

Everyone's ready
for Christmas break,
Goodbyes are said,
our departures we take.

The ride down to Billings
90 minutes will last;
I watch through the window
the beauty we pass.

Three Arrowhead students
are sharing this ride
Alicia (great driver!),
Faith, Amber beside.

From Billings to Denver
the last two will fly;
Faith's a bit nervous --
first time in the sky.

I'll join them to Denver,
not on to Fargo;
My home destination
is ORD, Chicago.

Our first stop in Billings:
Alicia's fine home.
Her mom made us supper
ere further we roam.

Then off to the airport,
bag checks okay.
Now sit at the gate
and chat time away.

I hear my name called
to get an upgrade;
I'm glad for the legroom,
and the switch made.

The plane's a commuter
an old turboprop --.
but Billings to Denver
is just a short hop.

Our plane lands on time
but there's no open gate.
The "penalty box"
is our non-joyful fate.

The minutes tick by,
on the tarmac we wait.
Our captain regrets
our arrival is late.

At last a reprieve:
our gate is in sight.
The gangplank extends --
we rush out in the night.

The terminal at last!
My legs stretch in haste.
My gate is quite far;
i increase my pace.

Approaching i notice
none milling around --
but wait! Is there hope?
My plane's yet aground!

It's then that I note
between jetway and jet
is a gap of two feet --
that flight I'll not get.

No time to despair,
the next flight I'll make;
from Denver to ORD --
how long could that take?

Turns out, quite a while,
though it's only eight,
"No more flights tonight,"
Now, isn't that great?

United has perks
for you, frequent flyer;
they'll bend over backwards
to help you acquire...

a room for the night,
half an hour away;
seven bucks for a meal
to brighten your stay.

But God has much more
in His plans for my plight;
those Arrowhead students
along on my flight...

also are stranded
in Denver all night.
I help to ensure
that they're treated right.

The "night's sleep" is short
but all is okay;
the shuttle returns us,
and we fly away.

In class we'd learned Ezra
did study and teach,
and taught us to practice
whatever we preach.

So now I just landed
at ORD -- ain't it great?
And our pilot says...
we must wait for our gate!

I smile while thinking
how God orders events
that in the moment
make so little sense.

Life's an adventure!
God often will test
to see if I live what
I teach to the rest.

"God designs what we go through; we decide how we go through it."

Thankful to be safely home with my dear wife and family! And for a great week with some wonderful friends at Arrowhead. And I've heard from Faith and Amber; they have met their families in Fargo.

P.S. This bit of doggerel inspired by my old college buddy (and now airline pilot) Tom Little who posted while we still were in the penalty box:

Remember,,,
when you have time to spare, travel by air!