Flying, Turbulence, Trust, and the Insane.

I've missed this place. I took two weeks off and I can't promise that I won't do it again! End of the school year projects, concerts, awards, testing and competitions leave no rest for the weary.

The last couple of weeks have definitely been a lesson in trust.  It has reminded me of a plane flight I took in June of 1993.

It was a Delta Flight. Dallas to Houston.

Oh how I remember...

Flying was always something that I enjoyed. I loved everything about it. The sounds, the window seat views, and the faces of the passengers. All of it.

This particular day I was on my way to a wedding. Like always, before take off I bowed my head and prayed a prayer of safety and protection.  When I finished, I heard the Lord ask "Do you trust me?"

I thought it was odd but my obvious answer was "Yes!"

It's the answer that most of us would give. Of course we trust the One who loves us most. We worship. We pray. We read his word. We know that He's a healer. He's a protector. He's a provider. He's a deliverer.

We know.

So for me to answer anything other than a yes would have been disrespectful and according to my heart, absurdity.

As the plane took off I was feeling pleased about my answer. Looking out the window, I marveled at His handiwork!  It was breathtaking. I closed my eyes and told Him how much I loved Him.

As soon as I started to get comfortable on this one hour flight it was time to land. The pilot came on and said that there was a storm in Houston. We were going to have to fly in a holding pattern until we were cleared to land.

I thanked God for safety and protection and waited patiently.

One hour later the pilot announced that we would start our descent. He told us to fasten our seat belts. I didn't think this was out of the ordinary, as this was the normal sequence of many flights before.

And then...

I LOST MY MIND!

The turbulence was dreadful.  Bumps. Drops. Swaying. The noise of the engine. Clouds. Screams.

Me screaming.

Plane descending.

Me screaming.

Bumps. Drops.

Shaking.

I looked at the faces of the flight attendants. Calm.

Me still screaming. Wondering if they were just okay with the fact that we were obviously dying.

Turbulence stopped.

Calm.

Plane landed.

Everyone clapped.

I didn't.

I needed to get OFF!

As we taxied in, I could not stop shaking. I cried. I couldn't believe what just took place. Never in my life had I been through such an experience. It was horrendous. I couldn't imagine getting on another plane.

I got my things and ran off the plane. Pushing many people out of my way too. I needed to put my feet on the ground!

When I got to sure foundation, (as the older saints would say),  I thanked the Lord for answering my prayer of safety and protection. I was more than relieved.

Then I heard Him ask again, "Do you trust Me?"

Then it began to unfold.  I was so focused on the bumps and drops during the storm, that I didn't trust the one who I had just told I trusted.  I didn't remember that He was a deliverer or a protector. I didn't even remember my own prayer!

I thanked him for answered prayer after it was over but I did not trust Him during the process.

He even showed me in the faces of the flight attendants that we were fine, and I questioned the assurance. *sigh*

And OF COURSE I remembered Matthew 8:23-27

And He got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying "Save us, Lord. we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose an rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?"

Nope. Not one of my best moments. Now I can laugh at my foolery. I was insane!

Even though I was such a mess, He still calmed the storm and landed that plane. In spite of my response, He remained God and in control.

Oh how I love Him!

I could keep going on and on about this one.So many lessons from this one flight but I will leave you with this...

He loved me enough to show me that my perception of our relationship is not always reality. He showed me that trust is by experience like any good and healthy relationship.

The only way to get to know Him is by experiencing Him. I can hear and read about His deliverance but I will never fully know Him until I have been delivered. I will never know Him as a provider if I've never needed provision.

So many of us are going through some really tough times. These are difficult days. Can I just encourage you to keep your focus one the One who speaks to the winds of your situation?

I know it's easier said than done when you are in the bumps, sways, and drops. But He has promised in Psalm 34:19:

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

He's there. Holding you. Protecting you. He's in control.

Do you trust Him?

Blessings!

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