Expect the Unexpected

Today marked a small but meaningful shift in travel history for me.

January 27 was the first day Southwest Airlines moved to assigned seating. When I booked this flight a couple of months ago, I had no idea today would be the day that change took effect.

I started flying Southwest more than 40 years ago—back when there was no security, when you could stroll through the airport and walk up to the gate fifteen minutes before departure. I flew when there were six seats in a small lounge area—three facing one direction, three the other—where you could sit with friends and talk. I remember the days of the plastic placards numbered 1–30 and 31–60, running to see which one you could grab. Then came lining up A, B, and C groups, the hustle, the pressure, the anxiety of needing to board early just to secure a decent seat.

Over time, flying became harder—not just logistically, but internally. The busyness. The rushing. The subtle anxiety of having to fight your way through the airport and onto the plane.

So today felt different.

When I originally booked the flight, I chose seat 8D—an aisle seat. Within 48 hours of departure, I was able to upgrade to 2D: an aisle seat with extra legroom. And suddenly, there was a sense of peace I hadn’t expected. I didn’t have to rush. I didn’t have to compete. My seat was prepared and waiting for me.

It felt like a quiet reminder from the Lord:

“I’ve got this. I’ve gone before you.”

It was as if God was saying, I’m making this easier for you, because I want you free to be about My business.

Free to love on Jeanette in the American Express lounge in Sacramento.

Free to show kindness to a TSA agent.

Free to walk through the airport unhurried, full, and available.

Not stressed.

Not anxious.

But overflowing.

That doesn’t mean there weren’t surprises.

As I walked up to the CLEAR line—the quick eye-scan that usually moves you right through—a TSA agent commented, “Wow, that’s a great jacket.” Everything was smooth…until it wasn’t. The scanners had been turned up to extra sensitivity. Even in a line where we normally don’t remove shoes, belts, or jackets, suddenly we were taking everything off. What I expected changed in an instant.

And that’s the point.

You never really know what to expect.

So we live learning to trust the Shepherd—believing that He is always guiding, always leading, always teaching, always loving. He uses the unexpected to invite us to expect Him—Christ in us—moment by moment.

When we trust Him in the unexpected, people don’t just see patience.

They see Jesus.

They see His love.

His kindness.

His goodness.

His strength—flowing through ordinary moments we didn’t plan.

Scripture reminds us:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

So today, my encouragement is simple:

Pray that self would quietly step aside—

that we would rest in the One who lives within us—

and that out of our lives would flow living water.

Because when the unexpected comes—and it always does—

it becomes an opportunity for Christ to be seen.