May I have a Word?
February 24, 2010
Conversations, they provide a
method of communicating with each other.
The experience brings an exchange
of ideas, feelings, and expressions of the heart and mind. We conclude the exchange, leave, and later
reflect on what happened. In evaluating
conversations we consider how we
feel. If the exchange is disagreeable then we conclude that is an
unpleasant conversation. However, if the
time spent left us feeling uplifted then we remember a happy conversation. Either way, the exchange leaves lasting
impressions.
“It’s amazing how much people
will listen to someone with the right kind of
authority and who can back it up
with the right kind of credentials.”[1]. In aviation, the flight crew consists of two pilots: a Captain and a First
Officer; and a Flight Engineer who
performs non-flying duties and runs the airplane systems. The captain is the authority and this is
made clear by Federal regulations. To
support the command structure there is a Chief pilot, an Operations
Director, dispatchers, ground ramp
loaders, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. They follow a myriad of rules, procedures, carry out instructions, delivery cargo and
make a trip safely.
Departing early in the morning
before sunrise, the crew launches to the southeast in the dark sky. We are
climbing through low-level clouds and resulting loss of outside visual
contact. Airplane instruments provide
guidance for airspeed, heading, and altitude.
Sophisticated airplane-satellite guidance systems track these details to
precision, reporting our position within 50 feet. An autopilot maintains course. Crews monitor the event. Time passes. The plane climbs above the clouds and is
greeted with a return of our
outside surroundings which now including a splendorous starry sky,
bright planets, and a hint of orange morning dawn to the east. Several minutes pass from takeoff and
leaving the familiar life-giving earth,
passing through the murkiness of clouds and our diverted attention to
the flight deck from the outside, and then reaching cruise flight and restored
visual contact. It’s all wondrous.
Today’s trip has six stops: Cargo is unloaded in St. Maartens, loaded for
the next trip, fuel is received, and the plane makes it’s way to the runway for
departure. A sandy beach is next to the
airport runway and the airplane’s pending take-off is a spectacle for the
tourists. They line up with cameras
ready, waiting for a most exciting moment when the plane departs. They wave as we turn onto the runway from
the taxiway. I wave back. They are quite pleased and have a moment of
free entertainment.
Lining up on the runway, the
captain commands, “Your airplane, I have the radios.” A conversation. An exchange of ideas and instructions.
Full power is added to the
engines and a deafening roar will be heard from behind and outside of the
plane. Power is converted to thrust, brakes release, the
airplane races down the runway with rapidly
increasing speed. Acceleration forces
push the crew firmly against their seats while the airplane moves ever closer
to the other end of the runway. It is
at the decision speed for flying that the control wheel is moved backwards,
resulting in the airplane’s nose rising, and flight begins. We live by faith, believing that the takeoff
will be made normally. Today our faith is rewarded with a rapid
climbout.
Arriving in
Three more destinations are
visited before the return home. It’s a
long day, begun before sunrise and concluding after sunset. But it’s been a great success, a wonderful
crew who support each other, have moments of laughter, are airline
professionals and pleasure to work with.
It’s only work if you’d rather
be doing something else!
In all of this a commonality is
noted. People are not alone. We have others to join with us, to work
together, to serve together.
Returning home, the email is
checked. A local friend is coping with
old age and frailness. They have an
earlier divorce and adult children but are estranged for many years. Time passes and draws closer towards having
fewer good days on earth. But there is
still time, and a chance to reunite. If
only there is a way how.
“May I have a word?” The thought brings a silent inquiry to an
estranged family member, sharing the current news of a parent’s condition. What will be the response? The adult child replies with curiosity. Additional emails are exchanged and they share their side of the story. A plan develops to help reunite parent and
child after years of silence. They call
and share with me their plan: “I’ll
write a message, ask for a call, and plan to make a visit.”.
So too is it in this season of
Lent, a time of reflection and self-examination. Jesus was not alone. He did things together with others So too, we are not alone. “You,
Me, and Christ, together”[2].
Consider the music of the anthem
and hymn by Charles Hubert H. Parry.
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind – weblink to audio
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.