Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Still in the Flight Plans

google picture
Once, in a home school convention, I heard this story that has stuck with me through different seasons of life.

When a pilot charts his flight, he knows from where he is leaving and the final destination.  He is never worried if he gets off course through the flight.  It is rare for him to go from one point to another in a straight line. However, he still arrives at his final destination, even after course adjustments.  He might have to descend or rise to move through storms.  This allows the passengers a more comfortable ride, reducing turbulence.  He might even detour off the course to the far left or right in order to miss an oncoming storm or other planes.

The passengers never see these adjustments...most of the time they just ride in comfort.  If there is turbulence, they fasten their seat belts, put their trays up and prepare for the bumpy ride. Some may expel anxious stomachs in a bag, but overall, the change of course during the journey doesn't change the final destination.


The passengers are in the hands of the pilot.Some courageous hero pilots like Chesley Sullenberger IIIwho landed a plane into New York's Hudson River in order for the passengers to survive, might go off-destination for the ultimate good of the passengers.
google picture - clear blue skies!
If I am a Christian, and I am, then I know the one who is the pilot of my life journey. He knows the final destination and the arrival time.  My responsibility is to let Him do His job....not to storm the cockpit.  I might need to grab a bag at times, due to my own lack of trust, but I can also learn to enjoy the journey.  My pilot has my best interest in mind.  I will arrive on time at my final destination.

The anxiety of any flight is always relieved when the plane comes to a complete stop on the ground.  I never ask the pilot about the adjustments he had to make. Instead, I thank him for a job well done.

I think that is a word for me.  Thank you, Lord, for the job you are doing in my life.  I release my flight plan into your hands and take my first-class seat, which you purchased  for me on the cross, so I can  enjoy the journey. (another preaching-to-myself post)  I hope you are enjoying your ride, even through the course changes.

29 Joining in with more words:

Canadagirl said...

I loved this! I have to ask are you going to keep hs youngest your son? Thank you for encouraging me today. I needed it this summer. ((HUGS))

Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary

Cindy said...

This is such a good reminder for control freaks like me! lol

How are you doing with settling into your new house? Praying for the adjustment to go smoothly. And for good neighbors.

Farm Girl said...

Well spoken and I take lots of comfort from it today. Thanks

Shanda said...

This is a great reminder of how we can release our flight and flight plans to the Lord. Too often, I want to be the pilot, or I want to sit up front with him to know what is going on.

Vee said...

Janette, that was wonderful. I can see why you've remembered it through the years. Thank you for sharing it that some of us may remember it, too. We are not in control; we just know the One Who is.

camp and cottage living said...

I think this is a word for me also!
Life is changing it seems without my planning at all. Sometimes circumstances are just dropped in your lap and that is when you have to trust.
Thanks so much for sharing this story! I appreciated it!

Debbie said...

What a wonderful anaolgy this is. I might ask myself WHY, when it would NEVER occur to me to ask an airline pilot if I might take over, would I want to do it with the Lord either? Just as crazy...I do need to just sit back and enjoy the ride, TRUSTING He is in control. This was soo good! Hugs, Debbie

Unknown said...

Beautiful dear friend! I too often try to take the wheel-not letting God be the one to do the driving! I tend to be a little of control freak and so I often have to stop and make myself remember this!! Hope your unpacking and moving in is going well.
Glad your towels are still making you smile.
Have a great day!
Love ya
Jill

Sally said...

I like the comparison here, and Debbie's comment about not taking the controls from a pilot. I would never WANT to do that, I expect the pilot to know what he is doing why don't I give God the same respect? I'll store this in a good place to bring out when next I try to take over the controls. Blessings.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

What a great...great...reminder my dear friend.

Thanks for encouraging my heart and soul today.

Blessings.

Theresa said...

You write such great posts! A great reminder that we are in the hands of our awesome God who knows better than we ever could.

no spring chicken said...

Again, beautifully said Janette, I fear we too often want to storm the cockpit! God grant us grace...

Blessings, Debbie

A multi-dimensional life said...

Dear friend, we are on the same wavelength again! I love this post.
I've been known to expel my anxious tummy on occasion (not good with rides) yet with God as the pilot, there is nothing to fear and we will arrive at the exact time He has appointed for us!

I hope you are settling in and enjoying your new home. :)

Sandy said...

Lots of course changes going
on around here and I am trying
to relax and enjoy the ride.
Wonderful advice to leave it
all in His very loving and
capable hands.
Hope all is going well at your
new place. Have fun decorating.
Hugs,
Sandy

Nancy said...

Oh did I need to hear this today.....I think I tried to take the controls just today and you have reminded me that is not a safe thing to do.......So Lord I give them back......

What a wonderful analogy.........Thank you big time....

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

oh those controls! Maybe the difference in growing up and older is that you give in quicker, and let the pilot be the pilot. He's never failed us yet and I know He never will.

Love this Janette... a good reminder.

xo

Christine said...

Ohhhhh....this is GOOD!

(How's that meal on your first class flight?)

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

We do like to be in control, don't we? It is hard to let go and let Someone Else steer. However, as you stated so eloquently, it is in our best interest to just follow along and enjoy the scenery.

Tanna said...

Amen, Janette. Amen. blessings ~ Tanna

Debbie said...

"My responsibility is to let Him do His job....not to storm the cockpit."

What a wonderful way to put it. I'm too prone to storm the cockpit, especially these days. Now, I might do it in the form of prayer, but if I'm really honest, I'm storming that cock pit.

I really loved this. Your posts always speak to me, whether you're convicting me or making me laugh.

Maryann said...

Fantastic, this is a "keeper" (something I will remember) I can't even imagine taking the controls away from the pilot during a flight, yet how often I try to take control over my life. Thanks for this one.

Unknown said...

wow great story..never looked at it that way..but i will now..thanks for sharing.. love ya..have a blessed and great weekend

Crickit said...

I really liked this story. It is so true that we sometimes have to go thru difficult times in order to arrive where God wants us to be! So, glad he is the ONE in control.

Hope that your move is going well and you are settling in. :)

Lisa said...

And don't you love that no matter how off track you get, He can get you back on? He even allows Holy Ghost u-turns! LOL!

Debbie Petras said...

Yes, we must trust the pilot to get us where we're going. I remember being on a turbulent flight. It was scary. But once the pilot was able to ascend to a higher altitude, things got smoother. It reminded me of God. We need to trust Him. He can take to higher places if we but trust Him.

Love to you Janette,
Debbie

Kathleen said...

What a fabulous connection!

Can you imagine trying to fly a plane with nary a clue as to HOW? But I confess, sometimes I try. In truth, my life is far more relaxed (and airborn) when I trust Him.

Blessings,
Kathleen

Simple Home said...

A perfect post for me to read today! Thank you so much for sharing this Janette.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Marcia

trish said...

Oh wow. You spoke directly to my heart. Thank you for sharing. :o)
Sincerely, Trish

karen said...

Wow! Thank you for the analogy! I just wish that sometimes I would just keep the seatbelt on and enjoy the ride!! ~Karen

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