"prepare for landing"

We were on a flight yesterday from Seattle to Chicago.  Our layover city was St. Louis.  Due to weather conditions, we were delayed arriving.  When we finally did arrive, we rushed to our departure gate only to find out that it was delayed.   Eventually we were able to start boarding the plane to Chicago.  The delay had been due to severe thunderstorms and tornado watches.  Tornadoes had already touched down in several states and flights were being cancelled everywhere.  We were on the last flight to Chicago.  

As we were finally preparing to board, and all of us eager to get on the plane,  we "gathered" near the entry to the departure door.   While standing there,  I noticed there were two lanes available to get to the flight attendant.  They were roped off,  but both lead to the same place.  One said "General Boarding," and the other one said "Priority Access."  If you have not had the experience of flying very much... there are categories of importance on boarding a plane.  The "elite" members,  the first class flyers, and the frequent flyer members are allowed to board first. The next priority of boarding is families with small children or those needing assistance.  Yesterday, the flight attendant announced if you had "priority" stamped on your ticket, you were allowed to board.  Then it was on to groups.  There are four levels in the groups and we were group 2.  That meant we were not the last seat on the back of the plane but we were very near the back.  An Asian family must have gotten confused about when they were supposed to board and moved forward and gave their ticket to the flight attendant.  They had several small children.  She publicly humiliated them in front of everyone and told them to stand aside.  She did the same to an older lady.  She yelled at them as though they were trying to steal something that was not theirs.  We passed them as we gave the flight attendant our ticket and I felt sorry for them.  The little children looked frightened and the parents looked down as we walked by. 

Finally, we were all aboard... only to wait again.  Flights were grounded in Chicago and we had to wait until it was okay to land there.  The young man sitting beside my husband by the window was very concerned.  To be honest, I was a little concerned myself.  Especially after a forty-minute flight became an hour and a half long.  He ordered a vodka and juice, and throughout the flight would periodically make a sign of the cross.  A few times I became nauseated from the turbulence.  It had been a while since I had gone over the thoughts in my mind...  do the kids know where the "will" is or where the  insurance papers are.  A mother tried to quieten her child to the left of us... a husband reached across the aisle to hold his wife's hand and give her assurance...  

Sometimes, we all think of moments when we will leave this world.   As we all entered the door of the airplane, there was a priority order.  Had our plane not made it to Chicago,  none of that order would have mattered.  The wonderful thing about God, is...  He is no respecter of persons... we are all the same to Him.  We all enter heaven the same way.  Some just  get there ahead of us...  Heaven is completely "first class."  We do have to make arrangements with the "kind" flight attendant though.  He has given His life to make it possible for us to enter this incredible place.   

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the  Father except through me."  John 14:6

..."No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you."   John 12:1-2