Stuck?

Have you ever been stuck? Stuck in a job you do not like. Stuck in traffic with the right lane seeming to go much faster than the left. Stuck in a painful relationship that you cannot seem to navigate. Stuck in the consequences of a past decision that you can’t change. I cannot stand being stuck. I have been stuck plenty of times in my life. I will never forget the time I got stuck at an airport for an entire day and night. That's right, it was the WORST kind of stuck you can imagine. My wife, Amanda and I just got married the night before. The next day we headed to the airport for our honeymoon. (Gosh, we were so young and innocent).. We were heading to Maui for the very first time and I was pumped. I think at this point in the story I should explain something about myself. I tend to be a very excited person about pretty much EVERYTHING! I try to live life to the fullest. Sometimes my excitement annoys people, even my own sweet wife. That said, we boarded the plane with anticipation for the sandy beaches of Maui. Just when the excitement seemed to be at an all time high, the captain came on. You know exactly what's about to happen.

"I am sorry folks, but it looks like there is a problem with one of our engines during inspection. The engine needs a certain part and it will not arrive until 6 hours from now. We will need to de-board the plane."

NO!!!!!!!!!!

We were so bummed. Even though the captain clearly explained all the details of this needed part, all I heard was: We're stuck. We passed the time by going to dinner and doing what people do in airports. After about 6 hours or so we returned to board the same flight and plane once again. At this point, my excitement is tapered. I am tired and a bit grouchy. I want to go on my HONEYMOON! We are back in our seats and ready to go. Keep in mind it is 11:30pm at night and we have been at the airport ALL DAY! (Did I mention I’m a bit grouchy at this point?)

Once again, the captain speaks...

"I am sorry folks, but once again we have an issue with this flight. We did not properly do a safety check on this plane before boarding. It is going to be another four hours before we leave and you will have to deboard the plane again."

WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

Being stuck is never fun. If you've ever been stuck, you know the feeling.

Despite the huge frustration and disappointment, I did learn some valuable lessons that crazy day at the airport.

Lesson 1: Embrace being stuck. That is correct, embrace it. If you are stuck in the middle of something waiting for the next right thing to happen, take the opportunity to ask yourself some hard questions: What is important in life? What are my priorities? What needs to change about my heart or attitude? How can I use this time to show love and kindness toward others? What am I learning in this season? Take the opportunity to embrace this time in a meaningful and intentional way.

Lesson 2: Some lessons only come through "stuckness." I cannot stand this truth. I want to learn all the lessons of life when things are going well for me. I just want everything to work out in my favor and my way. I never want to be stuck. This rarely ever-happens. When I was stuck at the airport, I learned amazing amounts of patience. I learned things about people that I did not know. I learned that sometimes being stuck shows off the ugly blindspots that we all have and need to change.

Lesson 3: Being stuck is not the end of the story. Amanda and I did finally make it to Maui and we even got some sweet perks to go back the following year. The point though is that sometimes when we are stuck in life we think that is the end of the story. We question ourselves and our decisions. We wonder why God is not performing a mighty act to get us unstuck. The truth: You will not be stuck forever. There is purpose in this season of life.

Feeling stuck is never fun, no matter the situation. The next time you find yourself in this temporary place of discomfort, embrace it, look for potential lessons to learn, and remember that being stuck isn’t the end of the story!