Monday, October 17, 2011

Aloha . . .

There are no excuses for the months without a post.  All I can say is that things have been crazy - crazy busy.  And human nature being what it is, the longer I went without a post the harder it was to get back into it.    I have let myself down . . . again.  How is it that I have been able to find time for all the other things going on in my life, yet have failed to take "blogging" time for the most important thing in my life - my relationship with Christ?

I am working in Hawaii this week and my husband was able to join me this trip.  This morning we went to Hope Chapel Waikiki - a place where I am able to get spiritually fed.  I LOVE this church and what this church does for the community. There are so many outreach ministries.  I LOVE the  praise music - many of the same songs we sing in our home church but with the Hawaiian style.  The message today touched me during the service, but it really touched me a couple of hours later. 

While my husband stayed on the beach, under an umbrella, I spent time in the water floating around on an air mattress.  Being on the water is total relaxation for me . . .  hearing the waves coming in, the soft murmer of people's voices, and the warmth of the sun.  A perfect time to think about God's creation and my relationship with Him.  I was going over the words I heard during church and was immediately convicted.  Let me explain.

Yesterday morning on our way to Hawaii I experienced something for the first time - going through a body scan at the airport only to be taken aside and told that because of an "anomoly" on my chest area, they needed to do additional screening.  When I asked the extent of the additional screening that was going to be done in the open with everyone around, I stated I was not comfortable.  So, I was told that I either allowed the search there or I would have to have a full body search in a private area.  I chose to be taken to a private room with two female TSA employees where I was the recipient of a very, very invasive body search. I told the TSA officer I was uncomfortable with where she was touching me to which I was told I had a choice - I could choose not to fly.  Sparing the details, , I will say that in addition I was treated and talked to very disrespectfully.  When they were done, I left so shook up that I cried and felt anxiety unlike anything I had experienced.   It was a horrible way to start a trip to Hawaii.

After church and while on the water enjoying God's creation, it became very clear to me - I needed to forgive the TSA workers for how they treated me  - I needed to let go!  Time I spent thinking about it, talking about it and wondering what was going to happen when I reported them to Homeland Security was time better spent elsewhere.  Thinking about them and harboring anger was not impacting them at all - it was only impacting me and those around me.

By the way, I realized what the "anomoly" was - I am pretty sure it was the trace amount of pink glitter above the scoop of the neckline on my top - I had a pink top and thought the glitter added a little fun. 

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  Colossians 3:12-14