There are two different kinds of “flying people.”
There are those who smile with glee and sit on their hands to prevent from clapping over the adventure of it all, and then there are those whose knuckles turn white while gripping the awkwardly small armrests.
I am very much a member of the first group.
I’ve heard people talk about how they’re terrified of take off or how they get nervous when the landing gear comes down. I’ve heard the steady breathing in and out and in again. I’ve seen the wide eyes and the look of panic when the nose of the plane first reaches toward the sky.
But I’m not one of those people.
There’s something magical, something so This Shouldn’t Be Possible about being up in the air, suspended between heaven and earth, going in and through the clouds. And here’s what I’ve found to be true of both people groups: we all love the in between. After the seat belt sign turns off and, if the weather permits, we can look out all the finger-smudged windows and simply sit in awe of the view.
Tiny little cars with practically minuscule people driving them. We go further up and it’s just us and the puffy, cotton candy clouds.
There’s a reason the windows are always smudged with finger prints. We’re awestruck with the in-between of the adventure.
But the take off? The beginning that holds so many uncertainties? The moment of both panic and trust as you buckle up and allow a stranger to take you up into the clouds, relying on his or her ability to help you safely come back down? A lot of us aren’t a big fan of the start.
And then the landing… sometimes smooth and gliding over the pavement, sometimes rough and bumpy and everyone’s thinking it – “please just get me out of here and onto solid ground again.” We’re pushed back against the seat from the sheer force of taking off or slowing down to a full stop.
It’s not too different from how many of us live our lives, really. We like the adventure and the in-between but change and beginnings are intimidating, scary, and new. Even when we can anticipate what’s coming there are still things up in the air {no pun intended}.
I know it because I’ve lived it. I’m living it now, actually. May 16th, 2015 was the day I closed the page on my college career, walked across a stage, turned back in my cap and gown and entered into “the real world” as a . It’s a new beginning and although I know some of what’s coming, there are things I can’t fully anticipate and then other things that take me completely be surprise.
Others have gone before. Others have done this. Others have been just fine. And so yes, I will be (you will be), too. But this is my adventure, my journey, and the nose of the plane is reaching toward the sky.
Certainly, I’m in no position to offer great wisdom on how to seamlessly transition into adulthood. But as the plane is tipping upward and the adventure begins – whatever your adventure or change may be – here is what I’m finding to be true:
1. Situations may change but He remains the same.
God is still God and He is still good no matter my circumstances. God will remain the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I may not know what tomorrow will hold, but I know the One who holds it. And so yes, we can be okay. We will be okay.
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{A free gift for you: an 8×10 print of the Oceans lyrics pictured above.}
Beautifully written!
I love this analogy! Perfect! I’m in the group that feel the nervousness upon take-off and landing, and now that you mention it, I’m just like that in life! Getting started is tough, and finishing the deal is kind of scary :-) Best wishes and all of God’s favor on your transition into adulthood! So glad I was a friend this week at #Grace&Truth!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Great reminder. Going to be facing some major changes at work this coming school year so will tuck this away to bring out when the stress gets to me. Visiting from Ember Grey.
Great to meet you here Michelle!
I needed to read this today. I’m starting to teach my very first and my very own Zumba class and honestly, I look a lot more confident than I am about the whole situation. It’s that I’m at the “take-off” end of that and the “landing” end of other things in life to make room for that, and not the in-between stage of smooth sailing. Thanks! Glad I stopped by from the Women with Intention Wednesday Link Up.
I think for the moment I need to just try and do both. But I do feel that He is constantly leading me out of the teaching season into another new one. I have no idea what it looks like but I just trust in His plan for my life.
My book is a 31 day devotional with journal. I read and meditate on scripture and then I write a poem about it. All of the things that I write about are things that I deal with on my journey with Christ. I just published it on July 17th 2015 and its called Seek Him First- A 31 day devotional with journal.
Very cool, Tona!
Good advice for many different stages of life. Funnily enough, I wrote a blog post this week about new beginnings, too. I’m definitely the second type of “flying people” — I hate takeoffs. Change scares me, and I like to plan ahead and know exactly where I’m going. But God’s been dealing with that in me in a big way lately, and He’s asking me to embark on some new adventures, and I’m learning to just lean into it and let Him take me wherever He wants.
Great post!
I appreciate your encouraging words on this topic. I just wrote a book and I am high school science teacher. So I feel like I am in state of transition. I want to be writing and blogging but I still need to be teaching and grading. I just have to trust right now the author and finisher of my faith that He will lead and guide me through all my transitions.
Tona I LOVE that you included how He is the author. It sounds like you’re in the middle of two good things without seeing how to do either/or. Maybe it’s a both/and, right now? At least that’s what I’m gathering from what you said. :) What is your book about?
Being held in the palm of His hand is a pretty great place to be! ;) Thanks for the printable!!
I agree… it truly is the best place, even when we have a lot of questions.
Oh, how I love this post and oh, how it has encouraged my heart! What a beautiful and realistic analogy!
I’m so glad to hear that – thank you!
I so needed this post today! I graduated in May and moved from Boston to DC just about a month ago. After the rush of change/vacations, I am now just realizing that this beginning is real, and scary, and lonely. The reminder that He is constant is so comforting! Thanks for the reminder :)
So I just replied to your email. :)