An annoying delayed flight?
On Monday of this week I traveled to New York for the day. When I got to Hobby Airport I discovered that my flight was delayed 45 minutes due to the weather. My initial reaction was: "Ugh!"... but it did not take long for me to realize just how timely this 'schedule delay' really was.
At the terminal, I walked past a fellow wearing a necklace with a Star of David. I said hello, he was Jewish. With tears in his eyes, he told me about his recent cancer diagnosis and trip to MD Anderson from his home in Florida.
I suggested that we do a Mitzvah together. We wrapped Tefillin and prayed. His wife joined us in saying the Shema and together we prayed for a speedy recovery.
I posted a picture of us on Facebook 
and many others from around the world joined in praying for this special man (add your message to him by clicking here).
This story moved me so deeply. It also reminded me, yet again, how in the Journey of life, there are no coincidences. Each step is part of a master-plan. Usually we trudge along with that belief in the back of our minds, but some moments help to highlight and remind us of this eternal truth.
That a 'schedule delay' can really just be an opportunity for a Jew to connect and pray for healing, and of course, experience an 'Airport Bar Mitzvah'!
Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky