My Father is the Pilot   

A preacher was once travelling by airplane when the “Fasten Your Seat Belts” sign began to flash.   Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence.  Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”  As the preacher looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice on the intercom 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.  Lightning 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 were about to crash.  The preacher confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him.

As he later recalled the experience, 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.” 

He continued, “Then, I suddenly saw a little girl.  Apparently the storm meant nothing to her.  She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat.  She was reading a book, and 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 marvellous small child was completely composed and unafraid.”

The minister could hardly believe his eyes.  And so 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 the behaviour of the plane, he asked her, “Why were you not afraid?”  The child replied, “Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home.”

I’ve seen and read this story many times, but I still get emotional thinking about the simple trust of a child in her father.  There are so many kinds of storms that buffet us: physical, mental, emotional, financial.  These and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our lives into seemingly uncontrollable chaos.  In all such times, let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot.  He is in control, and He is taking us home.