Life is fragile.
Every breath we take is a gift.
That's the refrain that drummed in my mind when I saw the photos and heard the story of US Airways Flight 1549, the one that ended up in the Hudson River January 15, 2009.
Did you hear it, too?
But for the grace of God ... you or I could have been one of the people standing on a wing of that sinking US Airways jet. Or it could have been someone we love, icy water swirling around their legs and their lips turning blue.
A couple members of our family fly often in connection with their work and all of us fly now and then. That day I knew every one of our family members was on the ground. I breathed a silent Thank You, Lord!, feeling a bit guilty for being so self-involved.
But for the grace of God ... that plane, bound from New York to Charlotte, N.C., would have been flying over mountainous terrain or a less-inhabited area, with rescue equipment miles away.
Instead ... they hit that huge flock of Canadian geese while they were still close to New York, which, since 9/11 has in place elaborate rescue plans and trained public employees for every type of emergency.
But for the grace of God ... a less-experienced pilot would have been flying that plane.
Instead ... it was Capt. Chesley Sullenberger. "Sully" graduated from the Air Force Academy and flew eight years for the USAF as a combat pilot. He had studied how cockpit crews react in a crisis and is a certified glider pilot.
By the grace of God ... Sullenberger made the right split-second decision. He turned the engineless plane around, gliding safely down over the Hudson River. Volunteers from boats that "happened" to be close by worked together with rescue personnel.
Instead ... of drowning, passengers and crew were rescued within minutes. They're alive and, as one said when interviewed, "I will never take life for granted again."
By the grace of God ...
Every passenger and crew member on US Airways Flight 1549 survived.
I can't tell you what was in cartoonist Rex Babin's mind when he drew this cartoon. Could it have been this verse?
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. --Deuteronomy 33:27
By the grace of God ...
You and I woke up this morning.
And the morning before this one.
And the morning before that.
Not one of us possesses a guarantee we'll be here tomorrow, or even at the end of this day.
- So why waste our time focusing on the "if onlys" of life?
- Or get hung up on the woulda/shoulda/couldas?
- Why bother to nurse hurt feelings or grudges?
Rather, let's appreciate the people in our lives and the good things all around us. Let's make the most of who we are and of every day we're given.
By the grace of God ... you and I live and move and have our being.
Life is a gift.
Every breath we take is a gift.
The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms.
For more, anytime you find yourself feeling fearful or all alone, turn to Psalm 139 and read the first eighteen verses. Let those beautiful words wash into your heart and your spirit.
Peace to you, my friend,
Lenore
