AngelSong's Gems

Faith

Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several
years had faithfully served the church. His executive
responsibilities had taken him all over this country. As he concluded
his message, he told of one of the most frightening yet
thought-provoking experiences of his life.

He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching
problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your
seat belts." Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be
serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little
turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the
passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the
announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal
at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us." And then the storm
broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the
roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and
within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a
celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific
currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those
around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that
nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make
it through the storm.

And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She
had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading
a book. Everything within her small world was calm and orderly.
Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she
would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.
When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it
lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening
severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that
marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."

The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached
its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he
lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked
why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied, "Sir, my Dad is
the pilot, and he is taking me home."

- Author Unknown -

posted by Angelsong @ 9:25 PM