“You can say what you think, but you will live what you believe” – Mark Hall
I flew Southwest Airlines home from Chicago tonight. If you’re familiar with Southwest they have what is called an “open seating” policy. In other words, it’s first come-first serve when you board the plane. Luckily I had a low number so I found a prime aisle seat and was nestled in for the flight home. That’s when it happened. The voice over the loud speaker said (to the almost full plane):
“Ladies and Gentleman, for anyone with an open seat between them (me among others) we have a young mother and her infant child that need 2 seats together. Would anyone be willing to accommodate them?”
Being an evening flight full of weary travelers, you can imagine that not one hand went up. That would include mine. As I sat there looking into the eyes of this mother, the words of Rob Bell and my post earlier this week began to creep into my mind and soul. Louder and louder until I couldn’t ignore it any longer “Live what you say…Live what you believe”! Yet I sat there frozen in my comfort. Waiting on someone else to do what everyone on the plane should have been willing to.
Needless to say, after what felt like an eternity, I offered my seat and we were able to accommodate the young mother and her child. Please don’t misunderstand this post, I am NOT looking for glory. I’m not asking for applause. I’m actually confessing to a weakness. Why the thought process? Why the pause? If I would live what I believe the reality is I wouldn’t even have a post to write. Which is the way it should have been. It should have been a non-story and just another event in an otherwise uneventful day.
Heaven help me.
AARON CONRAD 