Faith In Fiction | Turbulence
What a frustrating morning! My plan to get to the Denver airport two hours before flight time was foiled by a sudden thunderstorm that backed up traffic, delaying my arrival until just minutes before boarding time. Rushing while struggling to weave my carry-on bag through the throng of passengers, my purse slips from my arm onto the ground. Thankfully, a gentleman in a blue uniform, probably an airport employee, quickly picks it up and hands it back to me with a smile, saying “Have a blessed day, ma’am.” I’m so focused on getting the only available seat at my flight’s gate that, only moments after collapsing into the chair, do I realize that I forgot to thank him. A Scripture verse comes to mind, reminding me how annoyed I was yesterday with my neighbor for not appreciating or thanking me for watering her plants while she was out of town.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” Luke 6:35
Feeling hypocritical, I look around, hoping to find and thank the helpful man, but he is nowhere in sight. A young girl, sitting next to me, breaks my concentration by tapping me on the shoulder. “You dropped this,” she says, handing me my boarding pass. For the second time today, a stranger has helped me and this time, I express my gratitude, thanking her for her kindness. The girl says little other than that her name is Grace before she buries her head in a book.
As I hear the boarding call for families, the gate attendant approaches Grace and takes her by the hand, leading her through the jetway to our flight. I am absolutely appalled that this girl, maybe 5 or 6 years old, is flying alone. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine letting such a young child fly without me or a family member accompanying her. I am first in line for my boarding group and when I walk onto the plane, I spot the girl sitting in an aisle seat, her head down, reading a book. With this particular airline, I can pick any available seat so I sit in the aisle seat directly across from her. Since her parents don’t seem to be concerned about the risks of her flying without an adult, I will watch out for her during the flight.
As the plane sits on the tarmac, delayed for an hour due to the weather, I can’t help but notice that the girl doesn’t take her eyes off of her book at all. Along with most of the passengers, I’m listening closely to the booming thunder while watching the drenching rain and lightning flashes as we await takeoff. Once we’re in the air, I glance over in case Grace looks up and wants to talk. Shortly after we’re in the air, the captain’s voice is heard loud and clear, “Ladies and gentlemen, the seat belt light will remain on. Please remain in your seats and keep your seat belts fastened. We expect to experience some turbulence from this storm.”
I’m no fool so my seat belt is still fastened and I glance over to make sure that Grace is still buckled in. She is so engrossed in her book that I’m not sure she even heard the announcement. When I hear the captain’s voice a few minutes later telling the flight attendants to take their seats, I know we’re in for more than a little turbulence. The plane rocks gently at first, then more severe turbulence begins. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride as the plane bumps and jolts. Finally, the plane evens out and the bumpiness is gone. Relaxed, I open a magazine and start reading an article on, of all things, airline safety. Suddenly and without warning, the plane shakes violently and drops in altitude, my seat belt tightens, putting an unbearable strain on my abdomen. Books, reading glasses and electronic devices fly out of people’s hands and around the cabin. With panic setting in among the passengers. I bow my head and recite a prayer from Scripture,
“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.” Psalm 16:1
I look across the aisle concerned for poor little Grace, knowing that she must be terrified by this crazy turbulence. I am amazed that her focus is still on her book. The grandmotherly lady sitting next to her puts her arms around the girl’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, honey,” she says. “I’m scared too.”
“It’s okay,” the girl replies, “We’ll be fine.”
Surprised, the lady responds gently, “You must be frightened, my dear. You can tell me.”
With a voice of complete calm, the young child replies, “I’m not afraid at all. My dad is the pilot. I know that I’m safe with him in charge.”
Her statement of confidence cuts me to the core. Here I am in the middle of an intense physical storm but there have been many times in my life when I have been in the midst of emotional turbulence. But my heavenly Father is my pilot every day and through every storm, small or large. I couldn’t say it better than this young girl did. I trust that I am safe with my Father in control.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7
When the plane finally touches down at its destination, the stewardess stands at the front of the plane. “Wasn’t that a beautiful landing,” she asks. “Let’s give the pilot a round of applause for bringing us safely through that terrible storm.” As everyone claps for the airline pilot, I also offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who truly brought us through the storm.
When it’s finally my turn to deplane, I smile at the pilot standing at the front, holding his daughter’s hand. “Thank you,” I say, “for being such a great pilot. And thank you for picking up my purse this morning.” Yes, this pilot is the man in the blue uniform who helped me earlier today and God has given me the opportunity to thank him after all. “And thank you to your daughter for reminding me how to trust like a child.”
