By Rev. James L Snyder
Through the years, I have discovered two important facets of husbandship that has stood me in good stead for many years: a vigorous nod of the head and a rhapsodic “Yes, dear.” Flowers don’t hurt either.
When our recent visit in Ohio concluded, we headed for the airport. I do not mind traveling, but my least favorite mode is the airplane. The reason being, of course, is the airport itself.
In my opinion, someone devised the modern airport to intimidate the average traveler. Arriving at the airport, we immediately headed for the ticket counter where we received our boarding passes. Then we surrendered our luggage to the personnel behind the counter, not knowing if we would ever see that same luggage again in our lifetime.
Someday I hope to visit all the places my luggage has seen.
Next, we made our way through the security booth.
As you know, they do not permit metal through this gate. If a passenger passes through and a buzzer goes off, he is summoned back for guards to examine his personal effects to detect the offensive object. I went through about 17 times. Not until I got down to my underwear did the security personnel determine there must be a defect in the radar detection equipment. (I plan to file my briefs in a Florida court this week.)
Finally, we left the security area and I started feeling a little more confident until we came to a big sign over the entryway. My wife and I found little comfort in the words written: Terminal Entrance. Contrary to their “friendly” little sign, I did, in fact have plans of returning.
Our flight plan called for a two‑hour stopover before arriving at our final destination. Nothing quite compares to spending a free hour or two at an airport. Did I say “free?” Allow me to recount that opinion.
There is absolutely nothing free at an airport. I cannot prove it, but I am sure they have figured out a way to charge for the air we breathe.
For instance, a 15‑cent cup of coffee can cost in the neighborhood of $17.95. I don’t even like visiting that neighborhood. If I lived there, I would move.
However, being the good natured, charming individual that I am, it does not take much to make me happy. All I need to allay any stress is a simple cup of coffee. Have you ever noticed how things seem to go a lot easier with a steaming jolt of java?
With a full hour to spare at the airport, my wife and I looked for something to occupy our time. Then I espied the perfect diversion. With a mischievous twinkle in my left eye, I looked at my wife and said, “Let’s get a cup of coffee and relax a while.”
One thing I can always count on my wife, she knows a good thing when she hears it. Unfortunately, she does not hear it too often from my lips. Walking over to the coffee shop and, being the man, I approached the counter to place our order. “I would like two regular coffees,” I said with anticipation to the young woman behind the counter. The thing that makes a man a man is that he always knows what he wants. It is that confidence that separates the men from the boys.
The young woman looked at me, snapped her chewing gum several times and said in a monotone, “Marvelous, you want espresso or cappuccino?”
“No, Miss,” I replied as cool and sophisticated as any gentleman you will ever meet. “No, Miss. We just want two plain coffees.”
She looked at me as only a waitress behind a counter can and rattled off names I have never heard before. As best I could understand, they were flavors or kinds of espresso coffee.
Finally, when she took a breath I jumped in and said with all the confidence I could muster without compromising my good nature, “No, Miss. I don’t want any espresso, just a regular cup of coffee.”
“Exactly,” she said with a falsetto smile. “Most people enjoy our cappuccinos. What kind of cappuccino would you like.” Then she rattled off an endless list of cappuccino flavors, most I had never heard of before.
About this time, the caffeine deficiency began seeping into my attitude. I think that somewhere in our constitution is the right to order regular coffee at a price that does not compromise the mortgage on my home.
“Young lady,” I said as calmly as possible under the circumstances, “listen to me very carefully. I want coffee. Not espresso. Not cappuccino. Just two cups of plain, regular, good old American coffee.”
“Oh,” she said in a burst of enlightenment. “You want coffee. Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
There is no satisfaction more fulfilling than finally getting through and arriving at a common understanding.
“Now,” she said in a confidential tone, “what flavor coffee do you want? Columbian, French Vanilla, Cinnamon, Chocolate Mint, Swiss Mocha . . .”
There is only one place I know where I can get exactly what I need. Jesus put it this way; “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13‑14 KJV).
If you need anything from the Lord, just ask.
The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.
