It was a blip on the screen...

If you've been reading my blog for any time at all, then you know that my DS 3 and my DH have both been learning to fly small airplanes. DH is much further along in the process and recently got his instrument rating so that he can fly in clouds and such. In addition, just before Christmas, DH bought a plane to use for his business travel.

Yesterday, DH began his busy travel season. And, instead of flying a large carrier, he flew his plane to Texas. Now, in case you don't know, I DON'T like flying much at all. I can do it...and I do do it....in big commercial planes. These little things just are NOT for me. But they like it and I'm happy for them. I'm not going to pretend that I don't worry about them when they are airborne, however.

Shortly after DH left yesterday, DS 3 introduced me to a flight tracker. I know you can do this because I've "followed" his big planes home before on the radar. It's kind of neat. And, actually, for someone who doesn't like flying, it's a good thing to look and see just how MANY successful flights are moving across the US at any given time. It is a good way for me to be more rational in my thought life---which can be quite irrational at times!

So, DS 3 shows me how to find DH's plane on the radar and I start watching it. It updates every 4 - 6 minutes. Can you see where the green line turns "left" up there at the Florida panhandle? During the flight, there is a little green airplane to mark the plane's actual coordinates. I "saw" DH's plane make the left turn to kind of shave off a bit of the coastline and head out over the Gulf a bit. The tracker tells me that he is flying at 10,000 ft. Suddenly, the little green plane goes away, and a message appears on the screen: "No data for this flight."

WHAT???? I didn't go into full-blown panic at first. I know technology isn't always good. BUT, after I waited 45 minutes, I started to get nervous and let my imagination run wild. DS 3 tells me, "Mom, it's FINE! It's not the FAA website. It's probably just switching control towers. Or he stopped somewhere."

Whatever! I hate it when the 14yo is so calm and logical! All I could see is this green line that showed a flight path that appeared to stop over the water. And I found it hard to trust at that point.

DH WAS fine. He made it to Texas in the time that he expected to do so. And I was once again reminded that there is NOTHING that my worry can do to change anything. It doesn't add one single hour to anyone's life. And, from all the research probably shaves a few minutes off of my own.

It was a blip on the screen that set my fears and feelings into motion....

The truth is...I was looking at the wrong radar! Listen to this:

• Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7


• The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1


• So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31


• Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Over and over again, the word sends out a beacon of light to those of us who wrestle with fear and anxiety and any other life issue. Over and over again I have to be reminded that THIS should be my FIRST response, not a second or third. Today, at church, I was reminded of a piece of scripture that is just so beautiful to "rest in" and "grow from". And so I am going to leave you with this beacon from God's radar that I am going to be using this week from Ephesians 3--I highlighted and bolded my favorite part of this scripture:

16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power
through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.