Possibly, five hours had never felt so agonizing since
the time Gail* was in post-op recovery after her kidney transplant surgery,
more than twenty years previous.
Similar gut-wrenching times of waiting for hopeful
news would have coursed through their hearts when each member of this family –
mother, father and both daughters – went through their respective cancer
surgeries, and also when the mother suffered a near-fatal heart attack.
And now, Gail’s mom and dad and sister waited and
wondered, hoping and praying. Her humanitarian work as a staff-member of a
non-governmental organization (NGO) has taken her to many nations, flying with
as many different airlines. On Sunday March 10th she was to fly by
Ethiopian Airlines – her most favoured African airline – from Addis Ababa to
Nairobi, Kenya.
I can scarce imagine the anxious, torturous thoughts
her sister and parents, and her son and
nephew experienced during those hours
after hearing news of the crash of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, killing all
157 on board. Gail was to fly this morning. Was she on board that
plane?
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| Photo Credit: news18.com |
The family knew the flight number she was supposed to be on, but it
was hours before the flight number of the crashed plane was announced in the
media. Was that hers?
Breep! Breeb! The phone. Is this it? News of dread – or of relief?
Of devastation – or of rejoicing?
The message went something like this: It’s Gail.
I’m safe in Nairobi. My flight from Addis Ababa was scheduled to leave forty
minutes after the one that crashed. But then the airport was shut down and we
were stuck for nearly three hours on board before taking off. Indescribable
relief. Pent-up emotions burst the banks, overflowing with tears of relief and
joy and exclamations of thanksgiving!
The day following, my wife May and I met with my
sister and her husband. They expressed how their tears of relief and joy were
also mixed with sorrow for those families of the crash victims who received the
dreaded news of their loved ones’ decease.
We do well to always be mindful of others and to pray
comfort for those who mourn, even while rejoicing with those who have every
legitimate reason to celebrate. That’s what the Scriptures teach: “Rejoice
with those who rejoice; weep those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). And, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
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| Credit: King of Kings |
The period of Lent urges us to deepen our
understanding of and appreciation for our Lord Jesus, who carried the
sin-burden for us and all humanity in His devastating sufferings and death on
the Cross of Calvary.
My
wife and I rejoice with my sister and her family, and we pray comfort for those
who received the awful news that their loved ones and colleagues perished in
that disaster, while praying also that they will receive hope and healing from
God, through Jesus, to find their way forward.
~~~
* Name changed to protect privacy.
~~+~~
Peter is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – as he is currently engaged as an associate volunteer pastor. He lives in Southwestern Ontario with his wife, May, and writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column and occasional magazine articles. Peter is author of two books: "Parables from the Pond" (Word Alive Press) and "Raise Your Gaze . . . Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart" (Angel Hope Publishing). He and May are also engaged in leading nursing home / residential chapel services, pulpit supply and music. ~+~
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