Waiting Was Never Waisted

It is 9:52 PM.

We are planted firmly at American Airlines, luggage stacked like a small village around us, three children sprawled across chairs, and not a single desk worker in sight.

Apparently, the security and ticket agents were scheduled to stay until 10:00… maybe 10:30.

They left at “surprise.”

And so here we are — me, Nathan, Jonathan, and our three little travelers — the only family camping overnight in the airport.

Our flight doesn’t depart until 5:00–5:30 AM.

We have officially entered the ministry of Waiting.

When Waiting Feels Like Wandering

There’s something humbling about being alone in a nearly empty terminal. The air machines hum. The runway lights blink like patient stars. Four planes arrive… and leave again.

And we are still here.

Tired.

Slightly confused.

Deliriously excited.

It makes me think of:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” — Isaiah 40:31

Right now, mounting up with wings feels more like mounting up with neck pillows and fruit snacks.

But waiting is rarely glamorous.

The Airport After Hours Theology Lesson

We’ve been filming video introductions for our blogs. Interviewing one another. Laughing at how tired we look. Nathan giving deep commentary about international departures while Jonathan is sitting on the floor next to a charging station.

It’s comical.

Yet holy.

Because waiting reveals what’s in you.

“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” — Lamentations 3:25

There’s no rushing a closed ticket counter.

There’s no arguing with an empty desk.

You either complain…

Or you create.

Tonight, we chose to create.

The Beauty of Being the Only Ones

There is something sacred about being the only family left in an airport.

The kids are experiencing every aspect:

• The air machines blowing toward the runway.

• Watching just four airlines land and take off.

• Seeing the cleaning crews quietly do their work.

• The echo of rolling suitcases in a nearly silent building.

It feels like we’re behind the scenes of the world.

And isn’t that what waiting often is? Behind the scenes.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” — Psalm 37:7

Stillness isn’t inactivity.

It’s trust in motion.

Waiting Is Not Wasted

We could have gone home.

We could have panicked.

We could have spiraled into frustration.

Instead, we stayed.

Because sometimes waiting is part of the adventure.

Abraham waited.

Joseph waited.

David waited.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:14

The Bible is full of people who sat in metaphorical airports long before their promises “boarded.”

And here we are — physically exhausted, spiritually reflective, laughing at our situation — trusting that when the workers decide to arrive (Lord willing before sunrise), we will embark exactly when we are meant to.

1AM Thoughts and 5 AM Faith

By 1AM, we may look like refugees from the land of Sleep Deprivation.

But by 5:30 AM, when that plane lifts off, we will remember this moment.

Because waiting builds anticipation.

Waiting builds testimony.

Waiting builds stories your children will tell later.

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” — Exodus 14:14

Even in airports.

Even at ticket counters.

Even when you’re the only family left in the building.

Tonight we wait.

Tomorrow we fly.

And somewhere between 9:52 PM and 5:30 AM, God is teaching us that faith doesn’t only happen at takeoff —

Sometimes it happens in the terminal. ✈️