We were flying to Boston this past week. As we lifted off and continued on until we reached our cruising altitude, my 11-year-old son, Nick, felt it was just the right time to share that he had seen on the news that the top of a Southwest plane had ripped off in mid flight and they had to do an emergency landing …

Let me interject here that I do not mind flying. I don't love it, but it doesn't bother me all that much. That is of course, if it is a smooth ride. However, this new information about the Southwest plane was not exactly putting me at ease. I thought I would just give him a stern look in hopes of diffusing the conversation and move on to something else … but no … my dad then chimes in that he had seen the same news story. Now he and Nick are discussing in great detail this Southwest plane whose top peeled back in mid-flight.

I had no choice but join in the conversation. Having not heard about this incident, I asked what happened that caused the top to split open in midair? My dad said, "I guess it was worn out and the stress of flying caused the top to rip off." I said, "Well, I'm worn out and now I'm stressed about flying. My top may rip off at any moment." LOL!!!

Funny, they didn't laugh … I think they feared what "my top ripping off" might mean.  There is no scenario I can think of where this would be a good thing! I looked up the article when I returned and it said the top of the plane split due to "metal fatigue." I have mental fatigue … I'm still thinking my top is going to burst right wide open any day …I'm just sayin'!

Honestly, I do not mind flying. In fact, I find it peaceful. There is something about getting so far above everything and just looking down that gives me perspective. Things that normally seem huge now seem tiny and insignificant. Everything looks perfect … so neat and manicured. It is as if the land and water are perfectly formed almost if it were hand drawn. I guess it was, huh? It is quiet. You don't hear horns blowing or screeching tires.  The grass never looks like it needs mowing. You don't see any litter. 

Speaking of litter, the other day I was at a ball field and much to my horror this little kid dropped an empty Cheeto bag on the ground … right in front of me. The trash can was two steps away. He just dropped it on the ground as if that was acceptable. I was stunned. I wanted to scream, "Have you not seen the crying Indian?" (OK, for anyone born after 1970 you aren't going to have a clue about the crying Indian).  Hey, maybe that's why the kid littered. We need to bring the Indian back!

Anyway, from 30,000 feet you can see the big picture. It is easy not to sweat the small stuff when you're looking at it from way up yonder. That made me wonder if that is something like God's perspective ... from Heaven. He sees the big picture. He knows how it is all going to turn out. He never gets stressed. He is never worn out. His top never rips off in mid-flight. He's in control. Some days when nothing makes sense and things aren't working out as planned, I need a reminder of that. 

I'll leave you with this thought … Our former pastor used to say that he didn't like to fly because Matt 28:20 says, "Lo, I am with you always." LOL!