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Writer's pictureShelli Owen

One Day at a Time

Updated: Oct 26, 2021

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to live one day at a time not worrying about tomorrow—wholly looking to and trusting in the Lord. As Jesus taught: “..do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:25-34, NIV).


At the last minute—because of uncertainty about funding, also because of needing to coordinate with other people, and because of not being sure of timing on some other things—with Bruce’s help, I was thankfully able to find and schedule available flights to and from another state to visit family for a reunion.


My husband, Bruce, was going to be able to drive me to the airport, Monday, before his workday because of the early hour of the flight.


Though he is normally able to take some time off work for such things, he was not going to be able to pick me up at the airport immediately upon my return, Friday, because of how pressing the workload is for his department at the end of July. He is an accountant at George Fox University, and the summer is his busiest time of year as his office prepares for their annual audit, on top of their regular responsibilities.


My return flight was scheduled to arrive at the Portland airport around 3:00 PM. By the time he could get off work and drive to the airport I would be at the airport waiting for around four hours. That is not a huge amount of time, really, but I was dreading having to remain there for that long.

The airports are all still requiring people to wear masks, and I have struggled with wearing them from the start of the COVID regulations. Because of allergies, wearing a mask quickly makes me feel like I’m not getting enough air. It’s hard enough having to wear them while in the airport and on the plane—between sips from my water bottle and eating snacks.


I also can’t always control the coughing or sneezing in connection with my allergies, which I imagine makes other people upset or uncomfortable, even though I’m wearing a mask—since COVID is still a reality. This added to my dread of having to stay in the airport for so long.


Bruce and I considered my taking a bus from the airport to somewhere nearer to Newberg where Bruce works, but then I would still need to wear a mask (they are still required on public transport in Portland). Also, my taking Portland buses did not sound safe to Bruce, and I would be carrying luggage, making things even more edgy. The cost for a taxi (or Lift or Uber…) for the distance I needed to go would be out of the question after the plane fare. Friends had work and other responsibilities. I couldn’t think of anyone I might ask for such a favor.


It was just a little thing in the grand scheme of things, but I have to admit thinking about it made me anxious.


There wasn’t a lot of time to make arrangements. A still, quiet voice told me to leave it alone—to practice, yet again, this living one day at a time “thing,” rather than worrying.


So, I did. I proceeded one day at a time to enjoy my family members. Thursday morning, with Friday’s trip looming in my mind, I posted on Facebook: “Why not ask? I will be arriving at the Portland airport tomorrow at 2:51 in the afternoon... Is anyone going to be in the area or maybe dropping anyone off around then, who could give me a ride or partial ride home?”


Our family friend, Jackie, replied: “Shelli, I'm not planning to be near the airport, but I would be happy to pick you up. We do have plans for the evening that start at 5:00 PM so I wouldn't be able to get you all the way home, but I could get you to my house or maybe Newberg. Give me a call if you need me to pick you up.”


Wow! It was such a BIG thing to me that Jackie would offer. It truly wouldn’t be the end of the world if I had to wait for some hours in the airport. But I did call Jackie, and she in her kind and generous spirit did pick me up at the airport. Not a small gesture on her part considering the distance and usual Friday traffic. On the drive to her home, we were able to reconnect after not having seen each other for quite some time. Everything about her giving me a ride was a HUGE blessing to my heart.


It made me so grateful, once again, to my God for the people He has put in my life and to Jackie, once again, for her generosity and kindness (this was far from the first time…). It was also sweet encouragement from the Lord for living one day at a time in Him—always. He’s got the big as well as the little things in His hands.

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