A few evenings ago, I found myself stepping off a plane again. I was returning from another country, so I had to go through customs.
It had been a while since I’d flown internationally, and I’d forgotten this part, but as I made my way through the lines and checks, past baggage claims and TSA, a final door appeared at the end of the corridor, with glowing letters: EXIT HERE.
As I and a few fellow weary travelers approached, the door automatically opened, ushering us to freedom – the pickup area.
On both sides of the partitioned walkway stood lines of people. Hundreds of them.
A worn-out-looking man walking just ahead of me suddenly threw open his arms. Almost instantly, two little girls collided into them. Without missing a stride, he scooped them up and carried them on, somehow managing to wheel his luggage along, too. Then I saw her, a wide smile stretching across her face, standing a little ways beyond them. Seconds later, all four were enveloped in a family-sized embrace.
I caught myself staring – and smiling. A big, healthy smile. And that’s when all the other stressful thoughts stopped swirling in my mind.
I was lost in the moment. Fully present.
My own ride was about 30 minutes away, so I decided to stick around right there at the end of that line and just soak it all in.
I didn’t want to lose that feeling of being present.
Time and again it happened: each human very different in age, background, language and look, yet very much the same in expression, heart, joy and relief.
What an ordinary, profound half hour.
It occurred to me that there are very few contexts today where you’ll find that kind of universal joy – not loud or flashy, but real.
When my friend arrived, I stepped outside and found the same thing happening at the sides of cars and all along the curb. Hugs, laughter, even tears.
It was beautiful.
The thought flickered through my mind: this must be a little bit what heaven’s going to feel like.
With every opening of the door, new faces streamed through – tired and worn out from the journey, searching expectantly for that one familiar face.
Human belonging is one of the most sacred things, and we’re all searching for it.
Family. Friends. Places we know & love.
Just to be in the present moment – no distractions, no fretting about the past, no anxiety about the future. Knowing we’re right where we’re supposed to be, with the people we love.
We’re all on a journey home.
Don’t forget to savor those glimpses along the way. All those little moments pointing to the big one – the eternal one.
Beauty is everywhere if we can only open our eyes to see it.
