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Topic: Rest (06/14/04)
TITLE: R E S T A S S U R E D By Phyllis Inniss 06/19/04 |
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The Summer Conference for the year l983 was carded for the second Friday in July. I was excited because I had attended the previous year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was my first trip to the U.S.A. At Dulles Airport, we were met by other Amway members, who whisked us away to the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC. There we went through the process of registration and after a quick bite, on to the auditorium to hear representatives of various groups give an account of their work and their progress.
The following day, because it was the Sabbath for some people, there was a smaller gathering, but very interesting speakers. The grand dinner was scheduled for seven that evening in the ballroom and everything was elaborately and splendidly set out. There were so many people from all over America and other countries.
On Sunday there were religious observances for those who celebrated their day of rest on that day. We got the feeling that God was in every thing we did and there was a closeness and warmth amongst us that was very touching indeed. A feeling that we can rest assured in God’s love.
So here was I on this Friday at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad to make it to my second summer conference. Why wasn’t I seeing any of my associates? I was on time at seven a.m. I couldn’t understand it. However, I joined the check-in line, and not a little puzzled. Ten minutes later I was relieved to see the Henrys, a couple from our organization..
“I am sure glad to see you. I haven’t seen any of the others”
“We missed the flight.”
”No, the flight is nine o’clock”, I countered.
“The time was changed.”.
I was now angry. “And no one informed me?”
What made matters worse was this PanAm flight was going to New York and not to Miami, where we would connect to go on to Washington D.C. I consoled myself with the thought that had the Henrys been on time, I would have been on my own and I would have panicked. Even more so when I realized that the note book I had left at home at the last minute had the name, the address and the telephone number of the hotel we were going to. I had taken it out of the handbag, forgetting its contents, to make my bag lighter. I thanked the Lord that once again He had come to my rescue.
When we got to JFK International Airport, there was utter confusion. Lots of people were trying to get on flights, flights were delayed, some were cancelled and the Henrys and I were in the midst of all this. I was totally bewildered but felt a little comforted that Joan and Sam were with me. We had to wait, not knowing when we would get a flight out of JFK. I had one fear that we might have to go on separate flights. While discussing our plight, a friend of the Henrys, Michael, approached us. He was also going to the Conference and was caught up in all the chaos. When I mentioned that I had left my note book with all the details about the hotel at home, Sam Henry said:
“I don’t know the name of the hotel, but I know the address.”
“I know the name of the hotel, I remember it.” I added..
“Well, I have the telephone number, but not the name or the address.” was Michael’s response.
I don’t know if the others were thinking what I was thinking. I just felt God had brought the four of us together to demonstrate how He works things out if we only put our trust in Him.
We eventually got a shuttle from La Guardia to Dulles Airport. Armed with the name, the telephone number and the address of the hotel we arrived there by taxi. Here there was another beehive of activity, with people coming in to register, trying to find rooms assigned to them, and trying to find their associates who had come by another route.
Things were too hectic for me to think that night. However, in my quieter moments I reflected on yet another example of God’s saving grace and I just kept thanking Him that I could stay rest assured in His love and protection.