Caught out by compassion

My own.  I have a tendency to be a heart person, though over the years I have learned to balance head and heart and operate in a reasonable manner.  But last night the heart took over.  I was tired and have had a serious cold for two weeks and had the head operated at all, there would have been a different outcome.  That is not to say that this outcome is bad and the other better just that it would have been different.

I was at the airport in Guam ready to board my plane to Australia.  When they announced that the plane was overbooked and are there any volunteers to stay back.  I did not respond and noticed no one else did either.  As I was pacing, as is my custom before getting on a plane to sit for the next 4 hours, I happened by the counter and one agent ask the senior agent, “What happens if no one volunteers?”  The senior responded, “I have already arbitrarily picked people to stay back.”  

My heart was in action; how would I feel if I were one of the people arbitrarily picked?  I have witnessed this scenario.  People at the desk, upset, saying, “What do you mean I can’t board, I have a boarding pass.  I paid for my seat....”   I knew that is what I would say. 

My next thought was, how can I get on board knowing that my inaction put someone in that position?  I, of course, would feel bad.  The only pressure, I had was that my husband who I hadn’t seen in a week would be waiting.  And so driven by compassion for a person that didn’t even exist yet, I stepped up to the desk and asked if I volunteered what would happen and could I call my husband before I commit.  

I found very supportive and efficient staff.  They were on the phone immediately to work out connections.  After they were sure, I had good connections home they told me what would happen.  Then handed me a cell phone (not a mobile phone remember I am in Guam) so that I could call Mal.  I explained and although he was disappoint he agreed.  He too is compassionate. 

So, I stayed over in Guam and will later catch a flight through Japan to Brisbane.  It is longer but better because I will not be disrupted by getting gear off the plane at midnight and making my way to a hotel.  I can settle on the plane and sleep through.  Plus, I will start the trip not so tired.  

But had the head worked at all, I would have told the agent that I would volunteer, if the people he had selected really needed to get to Australia (more than I did).  As it turned out the people he chose were on a connecting flight with a tight connection.  And one of them was happy to stay back and his sense of adventure pressured the other to not complain.  The person who took my seat was like me, I want to get there but guess I could stay back.    So there was no upset person demanding to board.  I would not have had to feel guilty for getting on and leaving people behind.  

But this outcome was not all bad.  I called a friend here who joined me for breakfast and we had some good laughs.  I only get home 19 hours behind my original flight and I may be more comfortable in the end.  Plus, this beautiful view God made for me.

Also, I learned that when sick and tired and alone, I am a heart.  Much different when I am sick and tired and with my husband; because then it is about me and not others (including Mal).  I need a bit of balance in this area maybe.?!