This summer we embarked on a much anticipated family trip nine hundred miles from home. I knew traveling with two young kiddos was going to be wearisome at times. We were scheduled to be on multiple flights and devices were not going to be outlawed by this mama. 

As many parents/grandparents can attest: 

1. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. 
2. No two children are alike. 

I have one who could sit with a coloring book in hand and be entertained for hours, while I also have another who is a W.I.G.G.L.E worm. I adore this child’s vivacious personality but when it comes to airplane travel it can become quite the predicament. Hence, enters the tablet, headphones and his favorite show pre-uploaded and ready to go!

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This particular morning of travel had already gotten off to a rocky start. The passports that I thought were pre-packed in our carry-on could not be found, which insured a mad dash to find other forms of identification for the children. As I watched my husband struggle to load our suitcases I knew that we were pushing the 50 lb. bag limit. (Shesh!) 

To add to the chaos, the 45 minute drive to the airport was closing in on an hour and half with traffic. And about half way there, I panicked shouting outloud, “Headphones! We forgot the headphones!” Likely my best Kate McCallister moment to date. 

Fig. 1. Kate McCallister. 1990, Home Alone. Twentieth Century Fox.

I was spiraling knowing that without headphones the tablets could not be used on the plane.

I could literally feel the sweat-stache forming.

All I can say is thank goodness there’s a Target on every corner of our city. We sprinted into the store, purchased two sets of headphones and away we went!

Skip to our arrival at the airport and the Lord gave us a triple miracle:

1. Curb-side check-in was open!
2. The mile-long line for security was only a few feet!
3. And need I say, family boarding! It never felt more like a gift. 

I could finally catch my breath.

As soon as we took our seats, I wasted no time finding the tablet and new headphones. I handed them off to my son because he insisted that he could do it all by himself and didn’t want any help from mom. Mr. Independent, we call him.  Can any grandparents/parents relate? 

For the next several minutes I watched him struggle with untangling the cord and getting them adjusted to his ears. I could see the tension building but then all at once, he settled in and seemed quite content. 

Twenty minutes into our flight the kids decided to switch devices and my daughter proceeded to tell me that brother’s headphones were not working. This was very perplexing because my son was just using them. As we investigated, we soon discovered that he never had them fully plugged in. He was watching the movie with no sound! At first I was astonished that this hadn’t rattled him but I suppose he was so enamored with the visual effects of the movie that he didn’t realize he was missing out. 

The Lord used this silly travel story as a teachable moment for me this week. It’s been our family’s first week back to school, early mornings filled with non-stop appointments after the school day. Of all weeks to be devoted to my quiet time – this would have been it. Yet like my son, my eyes were focused elsewhere and internally I could feel my soul longing to be reconnected to my power source.

like my son, my eyes were focused elsewhere and internally I could feel my soul longing to be reconnected to my power source.

I’m not sure about you, but in the days that we are living I desperately want to be able to hear from the Holy Spirit and discern His voice above all others. 

“Christianity is not a self-improving religion in which one tries really hard to do better, to work harder or to be good. A genuine follower of Jesus says, “I can’t do it. I need Jesus and His Spirit working for me if I’m going to glorify God.” Friends, we must come to the end of ourselves and recognize that we don’t have the power to glorify God on our own. By faith, we believe in Jesus and He puts His Spirit within us, enabling us to shine brightly in the darkness.”

The Holy Spirit was sent to restore us to our original purpose by producing the radiance of Christ (God’s glory) in us. That’s why He’s our power source.

The Bible teaches that having Christlike character occurs when a life is under the control of and empowered by God’s Spirit. Just as my son’s headphones weren’t plugged in properly, so we, too, must be plugged into His Word if we are to bear fruit spiritual fruit by living differently from the world and shining a spotlight on Jesus.

I want to encourage you with these verses this week. I pray they will help you refocus your eyes and help you stay connected to your true Power Source.

1. Psalm 42:1-2, (NIV)

As the deer pants for streams of water,

    so my soul pants for you, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

    When can I go and meet with God?

2. John 16:7, (NIV)

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

3. 1 Corinthians 3:16-18, (NIV)

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

4. John 7:38, (NIV)

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.