"Bloom Where You Are Planted"

These are the now famous words of Captain Sully before landing an airliner in the Hudson River…”Brace for impact”.   In reading the personal accounts of the passengers, many wondered if they were living the last moments of their lives. Upon hearing these instructions echoing throughout the plane, they had no idea what to expect.  It is no surprise that the thoughts of many chose that moment to turn to their God.  Unbeknown to them, the reality would be that they were bracing for an impact that would alter their lives forever, but would not be the moment their life would end.  Facing the unknown and what it may mean to our well-being and our families can trigger an overwhelming fear.  What will the impact be?

For those walking the journey of a cancer diagnosis or other such life threatening illnesses, bracing for impact comes with an unwelcome frequency.  The continuing path is paved one step at a time.  The uncertainty of what’s next recurs with each MRI, procedure, lab report, etc.  With each, the anxiety of anticipation is a battle of the will to not allow the “what if’s” thinking to overcome our faith and trust in God’s plan for our life.  Facing the unknown and what it may mean to our well-being and our families can trigger an overwhelming fear.  What will the impact be?

During this time of failing economy, the media continually proclaims the same message, “Brace for impact”.   Job layoffs, drops in sales, upside down housing markets, etc are all threatening the financial security so many have been accustomed to.   The fear of not being able to provide for our families or to retain the money we have worked so hard to save, are facing us all.  Facing the unknown and what it may mean to our well-being and our families can trigger an overwhelming fear.  What will the impact be?

There are many families facing these types of challenges, not just ours.  It is tough and bracing for impact is exactly how it feels when faced with each step of the journey.  What will the impact be?  Well, it’s a journey.  Some days will be good news and some may not, but with each step we have learned to brace ourselves with our faith by digging into the Word, surrounding ourselves with prayers, and reaching out to those who love us.  As with those on Sully’s plane, reaching for God during these times is our guaranteed refuge during our times of fear.  David says it best..

Psalm 57:1-3 (NAS)

¹Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
²I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
³He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me Selah
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

The journey continues. We don’t know the impact of each step, but we know who holds our future and that is where we choose to place our trust.

Jeremiah 29:11  (MSG) … I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.