Mind the Gap

We had a great trip to London several years ago as you remember. We enjoyed riding the tube and listening to “Mind the Gap.” Chelsea enjoyed riding the tube so much she went for an extra ride J That was one of the worst times as a parent that your Mom and I went through as we tried to find her.

I still remember it really well. It was during rush hour in London, so the tube was crowded. When the tube stopped at Victoria Station we prepared to get off. There we people waiting to get on, but they waited for us to get off. It took us a little longer because of the luggage we had. I remember Chelsea and I being the last ones to get off when the bell rang signaling for departure. A man who had been waiting for us to get off heard the bell and suddenly jumped on, blocking Chelsea from getting off. I thought she was right behind me, but when I turned around the doors were closing and she had a sad, confused look on her face. We started to panic, but I figured I would be Super Dad and stick my arm in the door as it closed, stop them from closing, grab Chelsea, and swoop her to safety …ta da, Super Dad to the rescue! Unfortunately, by the time I thought of this the doors had closed …wa wa wa (I also found out later that the doors might have closed on my arm and started to drag me). Then your Mom had a great idea and started shouted “Hit the button! Hit the button!” Great idea! Hit the button on the side of the train that would stop the train and open the doors. Again, I thought I would hit the button, stop the car, open the doors, grab Chelsea, and swoop her to safety …ta da, Super Dad to the rescue! I turned quickly to the car as it began to pull away and what to my horror do I see? Well, I didn’t see a button to hit that’s for sure. I yelled “Where’s the button!” Your Mom yelled “I don’t know. There’s got to be a button!” But there was no button. I watched in horror as the car pulled away and you looked at us with astonishment and helplessness. I turned to your Mom and she said “Call her on her cell phone.” Another great idea! I’ll call her on her cell phone, calm her down, tell her to wait for me at the next stop, I’ll ride to the next stop, get off, and embrace her with a big, protective hug, and bring her back to the family …ta da, Super Dad to the rescue! About that time Chandler informs us that the battery on Chelsea’s phone is dead, and we discovered none of us had a cell signal down in the tube. This was getting worse by the second. We decided that I would get on the next train and ride down the line to see if I could find her, and the rest of the family would go up top to find a worker to help us. I thought to myself, I’ll ride to the next platform, Chelsea will be standing there, I’ll get off, give her a big, protective hug, and bring her back to the family …ta da, Super Dad to the rescue! I got to the next stop and Chelsea wasn’t there. I didn’t know if she had gotten off or stayed on the train to ride on down the line. What do I do? I had failed as Super Dad, it was out of my control (Jer. 10:23, “Lord, we know that people do not control their own destiny. It is not in their power to determine what will happen to them.”). I decided to get off and find help. I went up top and found a friendly worker who started calling down the line. In the mean time the rest of the family had also found a friendly worker who started calling down the line, and also created an announcement for Chelsea to go find a worker. Since I was up top I now had a cell signal, so your Mom was able to call me and we told each other what we were doing and who was helping us. I kept trying to push them out, but the worst thoughts of someone grabbing and kidnapping Chelsea kept coming into my mind. It was one of the worst moments in my life. Thank goodness we have the Lord to help us. I prayed several times for her return, as did your Mom (Psalm 55:17, “Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”). I was standing talking to the lady and man helping me, when I heard screaming on the phone. For a second I didn’t know what was happening and I feared the worst. After a few seconds your Mom started shouting to me that they had found Chelsea! I was flooded with relief and praise to the Lord.

In the end, I hadn’t really done anything to get Chelsea back (NOT Super Dad). It was Chandler who turned around at just the right moment and saw Chelsea walking by. She would have missed the family if he had not seen her. On the train, a really nice lady saw what happened and told Chelsea she could get off at the next stop, walk to the other side of the platform, and take the next train back to Victoria Station. The Lord can put people in our lives to help us. Chelsea never cried or panicked, but just did what the lady said and got back to us.

“God is good all the time and all the time God is good.” He answered our prayers knowing that Chelsea was fine the whole time, and that He was watching over her.

He also taught me that sometimes things are out of my control. I can’t hold onto you three and protect you for the rest of my life. I have to let go sometime and trust Him and you (Phil. 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”). I realized this when it was time for Chelsea to go off to college for the first time. I realize again as Chandler is at college and Chelsea gets ready to leave to study abroad. I’m sad, but I’m sad for me not for you because I know the Lord will take care of you and be watching over you, and I trust all of you.

There will be times in your life that you have no control, and don’t know what to do, you may even be in despair over the situation. The Lord is in control and will answer your prayers, just bring the situation to Him.

Love Ya,
Dad