Have you ever experienced a series of events that leaves you saying, “Boy, what a day”? I often wonder how I came through a particular day, a few years ago, but then again, I realized I’m never alone. The day started very early as we boarded a plane by 7:00am en route to Dallas, Texas for a funeral or as we prefer to describe “a home going celebration for a dear saint.”
Many well-noted clergy waxed eloquently about Heaven and seeing our beloved Savior there. The Bishop delivering the eulogy was also the son of this dear saint. He was describing a scene when he was a little boy becoming frightened what his mother would do. She declared that she would stare down death regardless until he was grown, it was “Mama’s prayer” and I’m sure every mother in the church could identify with it.
Though Mama was gloriously alive in Heaven, her family on earth was, of course, heart-broken. Jesus left this earth too but He didn’t leave us void and comfortless, He sent one called alongside to help. Imagine that really. No matter how horrendous or trivial the need, there is one called “alongside.” Not just anyone, but The One, the Holy One, the ever-present One, the all-powerful One, the all-knowing One. This is the one called alongside to help in the form of our need. Today, He was called alongside to be the comforter to this grieving family.
Later, as we left the service and headed for the airport; we encountered the usual travel headaches, lost luggage, heavy traffic and late for departure. I was growing impatient and convincing myself how rough I’d had it. All of us in our group had a difficult week of tedious meetings and lack of sleep as a result. I wasn’t calling anyone alongside, I was just complaining until…..
Only a few minutes into the flight, my husband notices a strange sound and tells me. Naturally, my first thought is not a positive one as fear began to wrap its icy fingers around my throat and choke the faith right out of me. A few minutes pass and the pilot comes back and begins to explore certain areas of the plane. By this time, I’m staring out the window confessing every sin I could possibly think of!
The noise sounds like an engine is going to blow to me and I grow more panic-stricken by the second. I look over at my husband who is calm and collected and trying to reassure me. As this noise continues, I’m already tearfully longing for my children that I fear are soon to be orphaned! It’s funny now but at the time, I was truly scared. As the pilot tries to determine the exact problem, I break down and start sobbing. “This has always been a fear that our children would be left alone. If I get out of this, I’m never traveling again.
As my husband is trying to comfort me, he said, “Remember Mama’s prayer?” All of a sudden, the fear subsided and “the one called alongside” came on the scene. Not long after, the pilot announced it was just a minor valve problem and “all was well.” But even if he would not have said a word, I would’ve still had peace because I called for it. The one called alongside doesn’t always bring the immediate answer we want, but He will bring the help we need until the answer comes and He’ll never leave our side in the duration.
Sometimes it takes a smack in the face to snap out of our self-absorption. When all I wanted was to land safely and hold my children, the weary week I had been complaining about faded from view. I was imagining what God, my Father, must be thinking of me about now, “Well, Joni, although I appreciate all the confessing of sins, you forgot one – or should I say, you forgot ‘the One’. Your week wouldn’t have been so bad if you leaned more on the One called “alongside.” I sent Him; He was right there, sat through every meeting, knew you lost your purse and knows a thing or two about airplanes. I knew you couldn’t handle life’s ups and downs without help so I sent “The One”. Just call Him alongside, and oh, don’t forget what the preacher said today. “You didn’t wear a crown of thorns or were nailed to a cross – you have nothing to complain about.”
I felt like I did after a lecture from my father while I was growing up and after all, growing up in God is no different except that you never stop. When we finally landed, I thought I’d kiss the ground. Suddenly, everything in my life had a fresh coat of paint. I’m sure my children wondered why I kept hugging and kissing them all night. As we settled in bed, I thought about all the help I’d received that day and decided to place one more call. This time there was no plea or cry, just a whisper, “Thank you Lord…I noticed you all along or should I say all “alongside.”
