Thursday, November 12, 2015

No Visible Support



I remember a visit from my mother’s brother when I was a small child. Uncle Don flew his small airplane all the way from his home in southern California to a small airpark near our home in central Illinois.

As Uncle Don prepared his airplane to take me flying one afternoon, he went through all the safety checks. Before starting the engine, he yelled out the tiny window, “Clear!” Though we were alone at the airpark, my uncle still followed the rules to warn any bystanders of the danger from the propeller.

Flying over my little town, I saw my mother waving up at me from Main Street. She looked so little. I waived back in large swooping waves thinking she would see me better.

We waved with the airplane too. Uncle Don tilted us right and then left and back again. He leveled the plane and the airflow from the propeller continued to push us forward – to glide through the air.

As I grew in Christ, I realized a lesson God had taught me then. The plane, my uncle, and I had no visible signs of support. Uncle Don understood the physics of flight. He had learned how to control the airplane. He trusted knowledge.

For me in that time, I trusted my uncle.
 
Today I know God lifted me, a small child, into the unknown and unbelievable skyway. He not only defied gravity and amazed my little girl-self, He planted a seed of trust in Him that would grow in my spirit and strengthen my faith.

I trust God to guide me in His way. He is my strength and my shield. (Psalm 28:7 NIV).

“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good” (Psalm 25:1, 4-5 NIV).

In Christ,
Berta

The picture I chose to share here is of my older sister, Debbi, and me waiting for Uncle Don to complete his pre-flight safety protocol the day of my first flight.