Cancelled Flight 2-4-2004
It was bound to happen one day. I was in plenty of time to check my luggage, obtain my boarding pass and go through airport screening. I had a seat at the gate and was feeling comfortable. I only had to wait 15 minutes until I started to board. The fifteen minutes came and went with no activity at the entranceway. I looked around and I was the only one in the waiting area. I called the 800 number for the airlines to check on the status of my flight. I was told it was cancelled.
I presented myself to the counter and noticed that the sign had been changed to “cancelled.”
“Did I miss an announcement?” I inquired.
“No, I was just trying to get people arranged on other flights,” responded the clerk.
Now I’m thinking, wouldn’t that be me, too? But instead I asked, “ May I ask why the flight was cancelled?”
“Mechanical problems.”
“What type of problems?” I was wondering if the plane would be safe.
“Scheduled maintenance.”
That was good news – the plane would be safe. Now I was wondering why an airline would schedule routine maintenance when the plane was scheduled to carry passengers.
I arrived two hours late to my destination, thanking the pilot for a safe flight, thanking the flight attendant for the excellent service, and wondering why the person who schedules the maintenance still has a job. I experienced many emotions when I had to wait for my flight, from anger to loneliness. Since I was the only one waiting for the next flight, I felt left out.
I did not like the feeling of being left out – not knowing that the flight was cancelled. I did not like the feeling that others were going to go to their destination while I had to wait. Is that what could happen on Judgment Day? Could there be a group of people that are ignorant of the way to the final destination? How will they feel as they are judged and sent to eternal separation from the Love of God? Will they feel regret?
Perhaps I can learn a lesson from the cancelled flight – not just that I will fly different airlines, but that I should do all I can to share the Gospel message – the Way to Salvation – with as many people as I can.
Thank you, Jesus.
I presented myself to the counter and noticed that the sign had been changed to “cancelled.”
“Did I miss an announcement?” I inquired.
“No, I was just trying to get people arranged on other flights,” responded the clerk.
Now I’m thinking, wouldn’t that be me, too? But instead I asked, “ May I ask why the flight was cancelled?”
“Mechanical problems.”
“What type of problems?” I was wondering if the plane would be safe.
“Scheduled maintenance.”
That was good news – the plane would be safe. Now I was wondering why an airline would schedule routine maintenance when the plane was scheduled to carry passengers.
I arrived two hours late to my destination, thanking the pilot for a safe flight, thanking the flight attendant for the excellent service, and wondering why the person who schedules the maintenance still has a job. I experienced many emotions when I had to wait for my flight, from anger to loneliness. Since I was the only one waiting for the next flight, I felt left out.
I did not like the feeling of being left out – not knowing that the flight was cancelled. I did not like the feeling that others were going to go to their destination while I had to wait. Is that what could happen on Judgment Day? Could there be a group of people that are ignorant of the way to the final destination? How will they feel as they are judged and sent to eternal separation from the Love of God? Will they feel regret?
Perhaps I can learn a lesson from the cancelled flight – not just that I will fly different airlines, but that I should do all I can to share the Gospel message – the Way to Salvation – with as many people as I can.
Thank you, Jesus.
Love 2-11-2004
“Love”
When I was a small child – love was summed up in one word, “Mommy.”
When I was a teenager – love was summed up in two words, “1951 Ford.”
When I was a college graduate – love was summed up in three words, “Arlene ‘Bunny’ Cohrs.”
When I was married for 25 years – love was summed up in four words, “Richie, Bobby, Becky, Russell.”
When I was a Grandpa – love was summed up in one word, “Grandchildren,” or in my case “Abby.”
Along the way there were other “loves” in my life – baseball, bowling, math, gardening, Boston cream pie, ’65 Mustang, to name a few. The great thing about each of my “loves” is that they do not replace each other, they add to one another. My love for my wife is still as strong now as it ever was. In fact, it strengthens each day. I sign my notes to Bunny, “I love you more today than yesterday, and less than tomorrow.” Over and over again those words have proven to be true. Such is my love for my parents, my first car, my children and my grandchild. There is no degree, no ranking. I love each dearly, but in different ways.
Part of the power of the love I feel for my family is that with them I am not viewed through the filters of expectations. I am not seen in the light of reciprocity. I am loved for who and what I am. My parents, my wife, my children know the private me – the view only family can see – and still they profess their love for me. I am hugged and loved not for what I can provide, not for what they can gain, but for who I am. It is a great feeling to be hugged by a loved one and know that no matter what happens, we will always love one another.
Yes, I am blessed. My family receives my love and gives me theirs in return. Yet, there are times when I am not so lovable. There are times when I don’t feel like giving my love. There are times when I feel alone and rejected. (Not often.) I know that these feelings of loneliness and rejection will pass. I know that my love will once again be given and returned. Even when I feel unlovable, I am confident that I am still loved.
Even more importantly, I feel God’s love wrapped around me. His is an unconditional love. He loves me so much that He sent Jesus to suffer my punishment. His love is always with me. (Yes, I can feel the sting of the Law, but the relief of the Gospel is always there.) As I profess my love for my family, I am reminded of the great Love shown to me by my Heavenly Father. His Love gives me a new family that can give and receive love.
“I love you and so does Jesus.”
When I was a small child – love was summed up in one word, “Mommy.”
When I was a teenager – love was summed up in two words, “1951 Ford.”
When I was a college graduate – love was summed up in three words, “Arlene ‘Bunny’ Cohrs.”
When I was married for 25 years – love was summed up in four words, “Richie, Bobby, Becky, Russell.”
When I was a Grandpa – love was summed up in one word, “Grandchildren,” or in my case “Abby.”
Along the way there were other “loves” in my life – baseball, bowling, math, gardening, Boston cream pie, ’65 Mustang, to name a few. The great thing about each of my “loves” is that they do not replace each other, they add to one another. My love for my wife is still as strong now as it ever was. In fact, it strengthens each day. I sign my notes to Bunny, “I love you more today than yesterday, and less than tomorrow.” Over and over again those words have proven to be true. Such is my love for my parents, my first car, my children and my grandchild. There is no degree, no ranking. I love each dearly, but in different ways.
Part of the power of the love I feel for my family is that with them I am not viewed through the filters of expectations. I am not seen in the light of reciprocity. I am loved for who and what I am. My parents, my wife, my children know the private me – the view only family can see – and still they profess their love for me. I am hugged and loved not for what I can provide, not for what they can gain, but for who I am. It is a great feeling to be hugged by a loved one and know that no matter what happens, we will always love one another.
Yes, I am blessed. My family receives my love and gives me theirs in return. Yet, there are times when I am not so lovable. There are times when I don’t feel like giving my love. There are times when I feel alone and rejected. (Not often.) I know that these feelings of loneliness and rejection will pass. I know that my love will once again be given and returned. Even when I feel unlovable, I am confident that I am still loved.
Even more importantly, I feel God’s love wrapped around me. His is an unconditional love. He loves me so much that He sent Jesus to suffer my punishment. His love is always with me. (Yes, I can feel the sting of the Law, but the relief of the Gospel is always there.) As I profess my love for my family, I am reminded of the great Love shown to me by my Heavenly Father. His Love gives me a new family that can give and receive love.
“I love you and so does Jesus.”
They Are Back! 2-18-2004
It is almost Spring. They have returned. Yes, each year about this time they come back to St. Louis. I have been told that they also return to other parts of the country – Chicago, Detroit, New York City and other Northern cities. I see them each day on the roads. There are lots of little ones, a few larger ones and just one or two really huge ones. I try to avoid them when I drive, but no matter how I swerve and turn, I run over a few. I usually get the small ones. Once I hit a large one and thought I would have to get my car repaired. It is not a good idea to hit a big one. State workers spend lots of time trying to get rid of them, but it seems that they multiply faster than the workers can destroy them. It is almost Spring.
Yes, the potholes are back. Water seeps into the cracks in the pavement, freezes, expands, widens the crack and soon a chunk of pavement is missing. Plows scrape, tires bounce and the hole expands. The larger the hole, the more water gets in and the larger the hole becomes. Pretty soon holes are so large that they can swallow small cars whole and bounce coffee cups around the inside of larger cars.
As I was dodging potholes the other day, I was thinking, “Isn’t that the way it is with our life’s road?” On our life’s pathway, small cracks appear. Into the small cracks seep in our doubts, our worries, and our fears. The cracks expand and soon there is a pothole that can throw us off of our path. No matter how much we try to patch the hole – doubts, fears and worries continue to seep in and expand the obstacles.
It is only when we cast aside our worries, doubts and fears t hat we travel smoothly over the path. The really comforting thought is that Jesus already paved the way for us. We don’t have to do anything to His way. Even when we are deeply rutted in our own holes, His Way is there for us. He is always there guiding us on. We only get in trouble when we turn aside from Him.
Yes, the potholes are back. Water seeps into the cracks in the pavement, freezes, expands, widens the crack and soon a chunk of pavement is missing. Plows scrape, tires bounce and the hole expands. The larger the hole, the more water gets in and the larger the hole becomes. Pretty soon holes are so large that they can swallow small cars whole and bounce coffee cups around the inside of larger cars.
As I was dodging potholes the other day, I was thinking, “Isn’t that the way it is with our life’s road?” On our life’s pathway, small cracks appear. Into the small cracks seep in our doubts, our worries, and our fears. The cracks expand and soon there is a pothole that can throw us off of our path. No matter how much we try to patch the hole – doubts, fears and worries continue to seep in and expand the obstacles.
It is only when we cast aside our worries, doubts and fears t hat we travel smoothly over the path. The really comforting thought is that Jesus already paved the way for us. We don’t have to do anything to His way. Even when we are deeply rutted in our own holes, His Way is there for us. He is always there guiding us on. We only get in trouble when we turn aside from Him.
Power 2-25-2004
We rocked back and forth waiting for the traffic light to change – the wind pushing against the car. Dust obscured our view and paper wrappers fluttered about like seagulls on a mission. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and an explosion. My first thought was that we were under attack from a terrorist armed with July 4th rockets. Another flash and explosion burst over our heads. The air was literally exploding around us. Bunny found the source; the wind had blown a power line from its anchor on the pole. Sparks cascaded around as I hit the gas to escape the hissing and spitting wire. Sparks rained down on more cars as we dialed 911. The view in the rear view mirror saw a fountain of sparks arching into the air as the wail of the siren confirmed help was on the way.
Abby was sleeping soundly in her crib. Pleasant thoughts must have been running through her mind as she smiled and reached out in her sleep. Perhaps she was dreaming of a favorite toy or reaching for her Mommy? Perhaps she was reliving her triumphs with her “Sippy Cup.” – learning that tilting and turning produces a refreshing drink of milk? Whatever her pleasant thoughts, they soon must have turned to images of discomfort, for her face wrinkled and her accompanying cry meant business.
Yes, the electricity exploding through the air was very powerful. A wrong touch could cause injury or death. Abby’s cry holds power. No matter what Mommy or Daddy are doing, no matter who is in the house, Abby’s cry summons forth action. Mommy and Daddy will drop everything to comfort their daughter. (Abby also holds great power over her grandparents – power she is, as yet, unaware of. A smile, a laugh and the world is hers.)
Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday. We begin our contemplation of the long road to the cross. The end of the Lenten road is the open tomb. The open tomb is made possible only through the cross. The power of the open tomb eclipses any power we can imagine on this earth. The open tomb frees us from our earthly life and opens the gates of heaven to us. The power of the cross frees us from our sin. Electric lines can spark and babies cry; they are but a small foreshadowing of the power of the open tomb won for us through the suffering on the cross. Let us not lose sight of the open tomb, the cross suffering as we journey down this year’s Lenten road.
Abby was sleeping soundly in her crib. Pleasant thoughts must have been running through her mind as she smiled and reached out in her sleep. Perhaps she was dreaming of a favorite toy or reaching for her Mommy? Perhaps she was reliving her triumphs with her “Sippy Cup.” – learning that tilting and turning produces a refreshing drink of milk? Whatever her pleasant thoughts, they soon must have turned to images of discomfort, for her face wrinkled and her accompanying cry meant business.
Yes, the electricity exploding through the air was very powerful. A wrong touch could cause injury or death. Abby’s cry holds power. No matter what Mommy or Daddy are doing, no matter who is in the house, Abby’s cry summons forth action. Mommy and Daddy will drop everything to comfort their daughter. (Abby also holds great power over her grandparents – power she is, as yet, unaware of. A smile, a laugh and the world is hers.)
Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday. We begin our contemplation of the long road to the cross. The end of the Lenten road is the open tomb. The open tomb is made possible only through the cross. The power of the open tomb eclipses any power we can imagine on this earth. The open tomb frees us from our earthly life and opens the gates of heaven to us. The power of the cross frees us from our sin. Electric lines can spark and babies cry; they are but a small foreshadowing of the power of the open tomb won for us through the suffering on the cross. Let us not lose sight of the open tomb, the cross suffering as we journey down this year’s Lenten road.
