Turbulence

Coming home last Friday on the airplane from Washington was, well, it was bumpy.  The turbulence was bad almost the whole way.  I sat next to a young marine.  We didn't talk the whole way until we touched down.  Well, I did frantically give him my cell phone to turn it off for me when it was time.  I went blank as to how to do it.  Anyway, the touch down was a hard one.  The big, bad Marine had a bag ready and waiting.  He told me that was the worse flight he'd ever been on.  Well now, I thought it was fun.

Life is bumpy, too, but it's not so much fun during that time.  It's especially hard seeing ones you love go through it.  I feel totally helpless.    I know the only one that can pull them up is God.  He always has them in His Hand, caring for them much better than I could ever do.  That gives me some comfort yet still, it's hard to watch the process. It also reminds me of how they must feel when I go through those times.

The disciples had a bumpy ride on the water with Jesus sound asleep below.  They were like my Marine friend.  They had their barf bags ready and waiting.  Their hands were white as they held onto the rails.  They feared for their lives.  Who wouldn't?  It would be scary.  There were no coast guards during that time, either.  The only help they had was asleep below, totally unaware of what was going on.

Maybe He was awake the whole time just waiting for them to ask for help?  I think that's what our problem is many times, too.  We know God will help us but we try it on our own just the same.  Isn't that drilled into our heads?  'Grow up.  Dig in.  Toughen up,' and so many other pat answers.

Well, I don't know how much more grown I have to be before I decide to run to God first thing.  I'm much closer to the fifty mark than forty now.  Isn't it time to get things right?  But I won't.  Some of my friends probably won't.  It's been ingrained in us to try to handle things first.

I liked the scary plane ride.  It was outside my every day experiences.  It was new.  Exciting.  Living with God is new every day, too.  Living the life He has for us to live is an adventure but it does require holding on, reaching out for His Hand to steady us.  It requires faith that's beyond understanding.  I wonder if I'll ever be to the point where I can look out the window and smile as my life goes by and enjoy the bumpy ride and not be too worried?  I hope so.  Maybe when I'm ninety?

The Bible reminds us in Isaiah 43:2 this, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Thank You God for this reminder.  Help us to all cling to You.  Always.