Yes, of course, God knows where I am geographically (Budapest, Hungary at the moment), but I mean he always knows where I am spiritually, emotionally, mentally and in every sense possible. As we might say, he’s got my number! My life the past few hours confirms this great truth.

I was bone tired when I hauled my carcass out of bed at 0500hrs Monday morning. My Sunday had begun at the office a little after 0700hrs, two services, a Team Argentina meeting that lasted into the afternoon followed by a new member reception at our house Sunday evening. Then, I desperately tried to remember what I had forgotten as I got ready to head for Europe the next day. I finally got to bed a bit after 0200hrs only to get up three hours later. Ugh!

At least, I thought, I can catch a few winks on my flight to Houston, get some work done there during a couple of layover hours and then more sleep on the flight to Newark where I would depart for Frankfurt, Germany. Didn’t happen.

I got to the airport and learned Houston had severe storms that threatened to delay flight schedules. I stood around for a while only to learn that my 0830 flight was delayed, but no one knew for how long. I found a sympathetic gate agent who advised me that if we weren’t taking off by 1030 I should seek other options so as not to miss my connection in Newark. More standing around and more working my little computer to verify what was happening, checking Houston weather, exploring options, etc.

Finally, 1030 arrived and we still had no clue as to when we might take off. By this time the waiting area resembled a zoo. I worked my way back to the friendly gate agent. Actually, she rescued me from another agent who was clueless about how to solve my situation. After some tense bickering back and forth between agents, she firmly told me to get in her line because she knew what to do. She did. Out of the printer came a fist full of boarding passes – a standby pass for a fight to Newark leaving in a bit, another confirmed pass for the next flight to Newark in case standby didn’t work (it didn’t) and rearranged passes for the legs to Frankfurt and Budapest.

Donna B and Reba C are making this part of the journey with me. Since we bought tickets at different times, our schedules were different and they thought I would meet up with them in Newark. They were surprised to see me boarding the same flight with them in the afternoon when they thought I had left early in the morning. Me, too!

Those of you who travel enough know how much work it takes to stay on top of changing situations like the one I just described. You have to maneuver through lines, understand options, be willing to take risks, know how to talk to the gate agents, pay attention and keep your focus at all times. All this is to say that I did not get to catch up on any rest yesterday morning.  Oh! One other thing – you may think I’m strange to set off for almost 3 weeks in Europe with only carryon luggage, but if I would have checked luggage yesterday, I would not be writing you today from Europe. Or,  I would be in Europe and smell rather rather strange.

So, we were finally on board our friendly flight to Frankfurt last night. Like most flights these days, it was completely full. I found myself in a little nest of German students. They were very nice and well-behaved. They were just – students. They squirmed, giggled, talked and stayed awake all night. Me, too.

Now that you have an idea of my past 48 hours, you might understand why I, sitting in coach, cast an envious eye forward toward the Business/First cabin where the nice folks are eating on china, and settling into fully reclining seats with footrests to enjoy a nice night’s sleep. No big deal. It’s just that sometimes I find myself thinking that I DESERVE that type of comfort. These are the times God has my number.

I survived the flight and made my way through the massive Frankfurt airport to find a place to accommodate myself during the several hours of layover here. Finding a table and a decent cup of coffee I read my scripture for the day that included these words.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain e can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

OK, God! I repent and cover myself in dust and ashes. 1Timothy 6 is all about the great contrast between love of material gain and a powerful spirit of contentment in the servant of God, a contrast that brought about a minor attitude adjustment on my part. No, I did not to fly Business, but God has given me a life of abundance: great family and wife, a vocation with eternal purpose and fulfillment, many friends, positive influence in the lives of thousands of people around the world, the privilege to represent God in more than 50 countries and food on the table each and every day.  Thank God! How is it that I could not be content!