When you plan a trip anywhere in the world, you will always run into certain dilemmas. One of the ones we faced when planning our trip to Paris was whether or not to book a taxi in advance. I had searched the internet thoroughly and I had discovered several taxi companies who specialized in pre-booking. They promised to meet you and your party at l’Aéroport International de Charles De Gaulle, and for a modest fee, drive you to the hotel of your choice.

The Internet sites assured you that these pre-booked taxis were cheaper than the taxis waiting for tourists at the airport. However, with their prices ranging from 90 Euros (140$ Canadian) for the four of us to 200 Euros (310$ Canadian), I was unsure. It seemed like a lot of money, but I had read that the airport was well outside of Paris, and having never been there before, I had no idea whether it was a fair price or not. I also knew that there are usually an abundance of taxis waiting outside most airports, but I didn’t know if it would be the case in Paris or not. After all, why would these companies offer advanced reservations if there were other options? The last thing I wanted for myself and my travel-weary family was to be stranded at the airport without transportation to our hotel!

It bothered me for awhile, but then I remembered that God urges us to pray about all things, and that He is interested in all aspects of our lives, no matter how insignificant they may seem:

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Eph 6:18 NIV)

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.” (James 5:13 NIV)

I began praying for guidance and for a hassle-free trip. It is then that I discovered that if my plane was stranded for more than 23 hours, the reserved taxi would not pick us up, but we would still be charged the full fee. Can you imagine the potential nightmare? I then felt God urging me to rely on Him and to put my troubles in His hands, and I did. I didn’t reserve a taxi.

When we landed in Paris, everything went like clockwork. We had no trouble getting through customs, all of our luggage came through, and we weren’t overly tired. But there was still the issue of the taxi. And to my horror, when we exited the terminal, there weren’t any taxis to be seen!

Instead of panicking however, I looked farther up the line of cars parked at the curb, and sure enough, there was one taxi left. The driver was more than happy to accommodate us, and his price was only 80 Euros (around 120$ Canadian). Significantly cheaper than any of the pre-booked taxis! There may have been cheaper fares out there, but we felt blessed to have found a taxi so easily.

Prayer works! We might not always know how to pray (Our sinful nature always tries to keep us twisted in our minds so that we often pray for the wrong thing!), but we have a helper, a guidance counsellor, God’s Holy Spirit, who is always with us, willing to come at our help any time we ask Him. He is the One who interceded on our behalf so that our requests are heard! Isn’t He awesome!

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Rom 8:26-27 NIV)

My newest worry? I know I should be exercising, but there’s just no time!

The solution? I’ll ask Him! He’ll help me find the necessary time!

Rob Chaffart

(To view the entire “La Vie en Rose” devotional series, please click here.)