LIFE’S STORMS

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The firstwarning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplaneflashed 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 alittle turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of thepassengers were becoming apprehensive.

Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unableto 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 theengines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that greatplane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment theairplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as ifit were about to crash.

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

"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing toher. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she wasreading a book and every- thing within her small world was calm and orderly.

"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she wouldstraighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When theplane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way andthat, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adultswere scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed andunafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

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

Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked whyshe had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial,domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies andthrow our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have al l knownsuch times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be atrest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about adarkened sky.

Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking ushome. Don't worry! --
Author Unknown