Chapter IX

Be Still and Trust

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30.

Most people must find their first air plane flight a thrilling experience. While sitting in the garden of my home, I would look up when a plane flew over and wish I were able to take a trip.

Then I sold my home and went to Houston, Texas, for five months. From the beginning of that trip to the end, it was one interesting episode after another.

The southern people are very warm-hearted, hospitable and lovely. I was visiting a friend I had not seen for over thirty years. Her friends took me into their hearts and homes, calling me by my Christian name from the first day. I loved them and still keep in touch.

It was interesting to visit Galveston and look out over the Gulf of Mexico. It amused me to see the men seated on chairs, on the beach, fishing.

When it came time to leave Houston there were three routes I could take, besides the plane. I had never considered flying as I had suffered from Menieres disease, a severe dizziness and nausea. A doctor said it would be all right.

I took the problem to the Lord and very shortly I knew I was to go by plane. I was filled with that heavenly joy that comes from having the assurance that one is in God's will and in His Hands.

The morning I was to leave, I opened my Bible to these words, "If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth, even there shall Thy hand lead me and Thy right Hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:9. Surely for the first time in my life I was literally taking the wings of the morning and flying over land and sea.

We have often heard the words, "What a grand and glorious feeling," and it certainly was. No room for fear but a heart full of rejoicing that the Lord had fulfilled for me a desire and would take me safely to my destination.

Seeing the clouds floating in white masses below, contemplating the scene: it was vivid, breath-taking! I believe no comparison can add to that beauty, the same as when we look up to them. What a handiwork of God is a cloud! Going up through them is like going through steam or fog. Out of His infinite grace, God has given us manifold proofs, in nature alone, of "In the Beginning, God." The sunrises, sunsets, magnificent gandeur of skies, lofty mountains, undulating hills and valleys, and noble forests.

As the plane comes lower, we see the earth in the distance below. Coming closer, it looks like mosaic tile. Then seeing autos, houses, etc., as tiny specks, we are reminded how infinitely small is man. Yet the Almighty in His great love has placed so much at man's disposal.

I visited my cousins in New York and that was a great pleasure. It was during World War I, when my cousin was in the Air Force that he wrote to me about the splendour of flying above the clouds.

Arriving in Boston, I found the plane I was to have taken, had left ten minutes before. The American Air Lines paid all expenses at the "Statler," saying there might be a cancellation the next day. I believed there would be and there was.

When we came down at Saint John, N.B., there was a dense fog. Airports had been closed down in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. At Yarmouth, my friends meeting me, did not think we could land. However, our pilot brought us down safely. The Great Pilot of all was with him.

I do praise and thank God when I hear about Christian pilots. God has His own in all walks and professions, from the highest officer to the private.

I did not realize the situation was hazardous but I was confident my Lord would bring me to my desired haven. There was much prayer going up.

Another proof of God's love and care was brought to my attention, at my journey's end. It was a son rushing to his mother's death bed who had been given my seat in the plane I missed. How can we keep silent when God so manifests His watchfulnss over us? The son, was taken care of and I needed the rest, very likely, in Boston.

It was an added pleasure, as I was married in Boston and it was a thrill to go over some of the old ground again. So much had happened since that momentous event. How kind God is to veil our eyes to the future. We could never stand it, were it otherwise. "Strength for the day," He gives us. "Let us trust and not be afraid." Isaiah 12:2

I had the joy of visiting my sister and seeing relatives and old friends I had not seen for many years. After five months with them, I returned by plane to Toronto. This whole trip was a high light in my life.

"He never fails the soul that trusts in Him Tho' disappointments come, and hope burns dim, He never fails Tho' trials surge like angry seas around, and testings fierce like ambushed foes abound, He never fails." ANONYMOUS