First Flight

"It is never to late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot

The last time I was on a plane for probably the 50th time, I noticed seated in front of me a 7 yr old boy. Honestly, I probably instantly started wishing I was seated somewhere far from this potential noise machine/wiggle worm. I love kids dearly but screaming babies and unruly kids in tight, confined places, where escape is not an option, aren't my idea of the ideal flying conditions. I love to be disappointed if my expectations are negative and sure enough this kid surprised me by being a sweet reminder of my own youth.

Bored, I had already pulled out a book and my mom seemed to be asleep next to me and we hadn't even taxied to the runway yet. Finally the plane started rolling and as the engines started revving up gathering speed for take off, the little boy in front of me raised his arms straight up in the air. As if he was on a roller coaster, he was all a jitter with nervous excitement and anticipation. He kept his arms reaching skyward as we ascended skyward. I think I even heard a little "wooo whooo" when the tires left the pavement and we started gaining altitude. I couldn't help but smile and be envious of the joy and thrill he found in his first time flying.

I have flown all over the world and find flying tedious and annoying. I hate having zero control over everything: from who you sit by, to what you are breathing, to what you are supposed to be listening to and or are trying to avoid hearing.

This child convicted me and reminded me that I was on a miracle of modern travel. I was on a mammoth, metal marvel soaring through the clouds and it was amazing. When had I lost the magic of it all? Where exactly did the thrill go since apparently for me “the thrill is gone”? In the hustle bustle, taking my shoes off shuffle, I had somewhere misplaced the wonder of riding the skies in a glorified, flying bus.

“It is right to be contented with what we have, but never with what we are.” -Sir James Mackintosh

I don't want to grow up if after time everything loses its luster. Will there come a day when ice cream doesn't seem as sweet and beloved cheese is not so savory? I won't let it, I will fight the doldrums of hum-drum adulthood. I will remember that little boy and the way he peeped between the seats to look at me and then shyly hid, only to look again moments later. Even I seemed interesting and intriguing to him. To his little 7 yr old self, life was fresh and new, shiny as new shoes, and what I took for granted, he saw with wide eyed wonder. All I could see were the scuffs on my bedraggled shoes. I needed him to shine them right up again by reminding me that I am still young inside and can find that freshness and beauty everywhere just as easily. I love traveling, love it! I needed to see what a blessing it is just to be on a plane going anywhere, sitting next to whoever, and listening to whatever.

I need to give a huge thank you to the big Guy upstairs for everything...everything! Life is amazing, that I am happy and a Christian is a miracle. You that are also lovers of Christ are miracles too and those that aren't yet, I pray that you will be soon.

Lord help us to stop taking for granted all the beauty and majesty in each other and in your creation everywhere. Let our focus cease to be on the negative things that bother us and instead extend our arms skyward to give you the thanks, praise and worship You alone deserve. Help us to savor every moment and experience and appreciate all that this life has to offer. Remind us always that there is so much more to come with You and that we are always young inside and we can always grow more with You.


1 Chronicles 20:10-13
10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.



Heaven helped me 3/16/09
God bless you,
Love Always, A*

Glittering Green Truck

It was a lovely sunshiny day as I was driving down the road and suddenly there appeared next to me the most unbelievable, glittery, green little truck. This was no ordinary paint job, it looked as if it was from another world. It was full on rainbow hologram with a 3-D multi-colored effect. Glistening rainbows kept jumping out as you ran your eyes up and down the little trucks exterior. I briefly wondered if it was a mirage or if I was getting “punked” and pranked by munchkins. It seemed straight out of “The Wizard of Oz.”


While driving next to it, I was so exhilarated and thrilled simply staring, that I decided I didn't want to peep in the driver's window and have the magic disappear. What if it was some angry ole' curmudgeon smoking a cigarette glaring at me while hunched over the steering wheel. I drove alongside it for a nice long stretch of road and just smiled and smiled. I resisted the urge to roll down my window and yell out, “I love your sparkle.”

I have a philosophy that you should always tell someone when you think something nice about them, but I didn't want to cause an accident. If I were a dog I would have had my head out the window and barked and barked away at the truck. Sometimes I am jealous of dogs with the wind in their face because they look like they are enjoying life in those moments. And because of the little truck I was so enjoying life in that moment.


I realized though that the person in the car really wouldn't get to see and enjoy all of the rainbows and sparkle in the same way I saw it. They might be able to see a little bit, glacncing at its reflection in the driver's side mirror but they could never get the full and dazzling big picture the way I did on that sunshiny day.


This truck reminds me of many people I know. I was just so happy looking at the special green finish, it made my day. The car didn't know that and had no idea the effect it had on me. I didn't even interact with it but just looking at it made me so happy.

To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived... is to have succeeded!
--Emerson

On a Sunday morning before church I was busy setting out coffee and donuts and looked up and saw through the glass Sarah* making her way to the door. It was terrifically windy out and she was carrying something heavy in both hands. The wind was whipping her hair all around and it was all she could do to see. Knowing that she always has perfect hair, perfectly put in place, I couldn't imagine she was happy about just fixing it for church, only to watch it blown to pieces in a couple of steps. She always has a peaceful, pleasant expression and it was the first time I have ever seen her looking a little harried and frazzled, figuratively and literally. It was only a momentary flash across her face, probably because she realized she couldn't open the door. Instantly someone else trotted up to help her. And her face went right back to it's normal warm smile.


When I saw her I was so struck with my love for her, it was such an unexplainable rush all at once that I can only attribute it to something more than just me. I think I felt a smidgen of God's gigantic love for her. I had to repress the urge to just run over and tell her how much I loved her, and help her with what she was carrying.


She had no idea how happy and how much love I felt for her in those few moments. There was no interaction... no words shared but just seeing her own unique sparkle made me feel so much. I am so blessed that there are many people like her in my life that just seeing them makes me happy. They don't even know the effect they have on me. Since they are in the driver's seat they can't see how their glittering paint and the special rainbows that reflect off of them, can touch people. Don't forget that you can be and probably are one of those people.


Thank you Lord for all the wonderful people I get to drive alongside in this life that make me smile and smile. Thank you for each and everyone of them that you have put on the road with me. Keep them shinning for You Lord and for your glory. Let them feel and know more than a smidgen of Your gigantic love. Help us to take care of our cars and keep them clean on the inside so that they can glitter on the outside for You. Let us all experience and be able to give more of Your love to everyone. Please keep us accident free and safe on the roads together Lord. Thank you for hearing our prayer.


Heaven helped me 3/7/09

God bless you,A*


P.S. I later chased Sarah* down that day and hugged her and told her how much I loved her.


*Named changed for her protection