It's amazing what one can learn from a plane trip to Vancouver.
As my wife and I made our way towards the back of the aircraft, we were a little
surprised to find our seats were the last ones that could be occupied by
passengers. The only thing behind us was the row of seats reserved for the
flight attendants. As we settled in and stored our carry-on luggage, we had to
wonder if we had been given these seats so that we could better feel the bumps
and the many air holes that this aircraft would encounter. Maybe we would be
lucky enough to enjoy a 5 hour roller coaster ride!
It wasn't long before my wife discovered that the movie screen on the seat back
in front of her was on strike. No matter how much she tried to bribe or coax the
tiny little monitor, it continued to stare at her blankly. Even the three
separate attempts by the flight attendants to reset the screen were completely
ineffective.
In the meantime, I was having my own challenges. I had just finished my tomato
juice when the flight attendant offered me a second cup. I eagerly accepted it.
The only problem … My hands were already full! You wouldn't even be able to
imagine the acrobatics I had to undergo to set the cup safely on the seat-back
table and still keep my magazine open to the right page! Unfortunately, though
the cup arrived safely, half of its contents did not, and I watched in despair
as 3 ounces of thick, red fluid settled itself-into the fabric of my beige
pants!
The flight attendant was very helpful. She handed me a handful of napkins, and
in the end, I no longer had red juice oozing down my leg. In fact, I was
completely clean! Oh. Except for the colour it left behind … I looked like
someone who had been targeted by rotten tomatoes!
"Why not use your Tide stick," my wife suggested.
Thanks to her, I try to always have one handy, and it wasn't long before I was
using an "Instant Stain Remover" stick on my own pants. Luckily for me, I was at
the very back of the plane, because after my cleaning expedition, the tomato
stains were gone, but my pants were riddled with wet spots in very inopportune
places!
During all of my contortions, my tennis ball fell on the floor (Yes, I do travel
with a tennis ball, just in case I get bored! Not really. I use it for sore
spots on my back, which after all my acrobatic manoeuvres, were quite
numerous!). It then proceeded to roll all the way back to the stewardess
station. When I finally located it, I was met by a very confused flight
attendant, scratching her head, trying to figure out who was playing tennis on
an aircraft!
All of the flight attendants on that plane were very good sports. They seemed to
take everything with a smile, and tried to be as accommodating as possible. When
my wife's TV screen continued to resist every attempt to make it work, they even
let us sit in their seats so that my wife could use their movie screen for the
long flight.
Our experience however, stood in sharp contrast to the passenger we met at
Pearson International Airport prior to boarding our flight. She complained
constantly, the entire time she was in the check-in line. This airline was
terrible. This terminal of the airport was the worst. The check-in set-up was
completely inefficient. The service onboard this airline was horrible …
I wonder why she was flying this airline at all?
Our attitude has a big impact in whether or not we experience victorious living.
This is why the apostle Paul encourages for us to wear the next piece of
spiritual armour: "With the breastplate of righteousness in place…" (Eph 6:14
NIV)
Although the breastplate in Roman times was only made of thick leather, it
provided the most fundamental protection against the deeply penetrating arrows,
swords and knives to the most vital parts: heart and lungs. A puncture in any of
these two essential organs would mean instant death!
Righteousness plays the same role in our lives. It is our protection against any
evil that tries to penetrate our hearts, which is the seat of our emotions,
beliefs and attitudes. As our physical hearts pump blood, thereby giving life to
every cell in our bodies, we, too, are encouraged to bring life to our words and
actions through the righteousness in our feelings, beliefs and attitudes. Will
it bless others or will it hurt them? It all depends upon our attitude!
Righteousness, however, is not something we strive for. It is a gift from Jesus
Himself: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one
man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and
of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
(Rom 5:17 NIV)
We have to decide whether to accept it or neglect it!
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Phil 2:5 NIV)
The next time you are in line waiting to check in your suitcases, decide whether
your attitude will be a righteous one or one of a spoiled brat; whether you will
be a blessing to others or a curse.
May our prayer always be: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me." (Ps 51:10 NIV)
P. S. Would you like a tennis ball? Or would you prefer more tomato juice?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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