As most of us, who travel with the same destination in mind every weekday, I have my usual route.  Quite honestly, this can become rather uneventful and, I guess you could say…boring, if we let it.  I have certainly been in that situation before, but I must say that my set route these days can be a bit exciting.  You see, I drive through Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas every day.  Now that may not sound exciting and, yes, that can become very monotonous, too, if I’m not careful.  But, when I remind myself to take in what is going on around me as I drive through the airport, it can stir my heart and mind, every time.

Traveling this route affords me the luxury of day dreaming a bit, wondering where all these planes full of passengers might be going or returning from.  Many days, these huge planes are taxiing over the roadway that I travel, leading me to pass directly under them.  At times I may even see the faces of the pilots in the cockpit.  I’ve never been able to see the faces of any passengers, peeking out the windows, but I know they are there…all with different stories.  I can only try to imagine all of the tales that could be told.  These huge planes carry such precious cargo…every life represented, there among the rows of seats, each with their own unique story. 

I imagine business men and women, traveling to very important meetings, silently going over their upcoming presentation, hurriedly settling in to put the finishing touches on a project, or preparing for that, all important, job interview.  I can also picture that young family, setting out on a much anticipated vacation, children safely strapped in their seats between Mom and Dad, each one full of excitement.  I’m sure that many times some of these seats hold passengers that grip their armrests tightly, unsure of leaving the nice, secure ground below. 

These planes, at times, proudly yet humbly carry service men and women, leaving family behind, praying for a safe return.  And on highly anticipated flights, service men and women RETURNING to the families they’ve had to leave behind, joyfully looking forward to this homecoming!  There may be a young mother, praying that her tiny, sleeping child will be able to stay quiet and calm during the upcoming flight. As I let my imagination run wild, I picture so very many people, with so many different emotions, each striving to reach their own final destination, filling each plane.  Yes, each plane I pass by, or under, on my daily trek has the same ultimate goal in mind, that of carrying this priceless cargo…these precious lives, safely throughout their journey. 

Much like these huge planes, our Heavenly Father, does the same, continually carrying His own priceless cargo…each precious life, carefully and lovingly throughout each individual journey.  I can’t imagine a more wonderful “pilot” to carry us safely to each destination, over and over again.  This doesn’t mean that there will never be any turbulence or disturbances, “gripping of armrests”, along the way, but we can rest assured that God’s ultimate goal and promise is to carry each of us, lovingly and securely all the way through this wonderful journey, called life. 

Debbie Pedigo

March 13, 2014