By Deacon Jessica Noonan (she/her), Executive Director at LEAD

This past weekend, my youngest and I traveled out of town for a cheer competition and had to fly out of IAH airport here in Houston. Yes, in the midst of a partial government shutdown. We got in line at 12:01pm and it took us 3 ½ hours to go through security! We had just enough time to grab lunch (at 3:30pm!) and get to our gate before boarding started. You would think people would be grumpy and rude while waiting 150 minutes (or more) in line for security screening, yet we saw none of that. What we experienced was people patiently waiting, making work phone calls, reading books, playing games on their phones, catching up with their travel companions, and even making new friends through the miles of winding lines. Although one person was eating a really stinky tuna sandwich while in line and that probably wasn’t the most considerate choice.

Why were the travelers so calm in the midst of such an insanely long wait?

Enter the airport staff. The minute you entered the staff were lined up guiding people to where the line started, answering questions with kindness, and handing out water. At certain points in the very long line, there were staff letting people know that the bathroom was nearby and that they could leave the line to go to the bathroom and come back to the same spot to go right back to their place.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of John 13, and Jesus bending down on his knees to become a servant to his disciples by washing their disgusting feet. Jesus gives this example of how we are to treat others – in service to each other. Later in Chapter 13:34-35, Jesus says 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love
one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus tells the disciples – This is the HOW you will live without me. You will SHOW people who I am by how you INTERACT WITH other people in the world. By LOVING the way Jesus loved. In a radical, unexpected, arms-wide open way. This will signify to the world that you are my followers.

Last Friday, I saw that servant love of Christ at the airport. 

I pray that you and I can show this love to every person we encounter online and in person. 

I pray that you see God’s love show up in unexpected places and in unexpected people.

God always shows up in unexpected places.