I have always been keenly aware of ironies. For example, I am afraid of flying yet have a son who was an Air Force pilot and is currently flying commercially.  So I was very interested a recent entry in the quarterly “Our Daily Bread.”  Of course the topic is flying.

But let me give you a little background. Several years ago I wrote a blog with some of the most commonly used rock and roll or pop songs used for funerals.  One we have used often is “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler. This is not to discuss the sentiment of the song which is that of someone being lifted up from below with air to help keep them aloft during tough times. The true key to flight is actually air flowing over the wings creating “Lift.” 

The lesson is from Joshua Chapter 1.  The Bible story follows Moses death and Joshua taking over the leadership of Gods’ people.  How challenging would that have been for Joshua? He did not have a wind lifting him up, he was facing a wind in the face! 

I am fortunate that our son, Nick, visited us here in Houston one weekend, taking a break from his training on the Airbus 330 in Atlanta. The takeoff speed for the 330, depending on a few variables, is between 225-250 miles per hour.  That means the wind has to be ‘in the face of the plane’ at that speed to provide enough lift for the aircraft to climb.  There is no amount of wind that can get beneath those wings to get that beauty to fly!

So this tells me that on occasion there has to be some frontal turbulence for good things to happen.  225 mph is pretty strong when you consider that the winds in a category 5 hurricane (Yes. Those are the BIG ones) tops out at about 157 mph.

So as I struggle internally with a cancer diagnosis that is obviously of my own making, I also understand that God is always around to help me if I let Him, and that His blowing full gale into my face is the best way for me to focus on Him. Now I have to be observant of the blessings and good things that God is placing before me and not be so distracted by that headwind