One of our shared hobbies has always been people watching - especially in airports. We love to watch people interact and then try to figure out their stories.
We were watching a young Asian couple quietly huddled together on a bench. It was obvious from their affections that one of them would soon be leaving and one of them would be staying behind. Perhaps it was just the mood we were in (a direct result of the emotional roller coaster we have been on lately) but the scene soon became very sad and very hard to watch. The closer the time came for the one to depart, the more desperate and intense the embraces became. They were not even trying to hide their tears. It was as if no one else was around.
Of course there were other people around - lots of people. We saw a little boy clinging to his grandmother. He was crying (more like wailing) and pleading with her not to leave. There was a large family obviously sending their first child off to some far away college. The emotions were intense - the scenes all heartbreaking. We soon found ourselves being drawn into the sadness.
We watched as the young Asian couple finally separated - their fingers reaching and touching just as far and as long as they could. It was the man who was leaving. The young woman stood alone and watched him until he finally disappeared behind the terminal. Then she slowly turned and walked away - alone - in a sea of people - desperately alone. The tears in her eyes and the pain in her heart were contagious. We didn't know her, but our hearts were breaking for her
Then, suddenly, across the aisle, on the other side of the airport, we heard cheering - shouts of joy and celebration. It seemed very out of place and highly inappropriate.
We quickly realised that there was another side to this airport. There was the departure side and there was the arrival side. The departure side was sad, painful, and depressing. The arrival side on the other hand was pure joy. Lynetta and I looked at each other at same time and smiled. Almost in unison we said, "Were sitting on the wrong side of the airport!"
As we travel through this life we must endure many departures - some short term ones, and others more permanent. It helps to know that the more painful and difficult the departure, the sweeter and more glorious the reunion. In other words, no matter how tough it gets down here in this life just remember: We are all just temporarially sitting on the wrong side of the airport.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
