Tag: Miracle on the Hudson

  • Sometimes a look back helps us take courage for today, especially when it reminds us that God watches over us, too. Here's one to lift your spirits.

    On a cold winter morning, January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia Airport.

    Almost immediately the plane hit a large flock of geese, which disabled both engines. Pilots and everyone watching knew they had only minutes to find a place to land.     

    Only one possibility existed, the frigid Hudson River.

    Every watcher agreed the crew and all 155 passengers would surely die, either inside the sinking plane, or by drowning or hypothermia. Rescuers simply could not reach them in time.

    Blog. Babin cartoon. Miracleonthe Hudson. 1.14 89Edo.St.4 (2017_08_21 00_17_26 UTC)

    Yet every person on the plane made it out and lived.   

    Reporters breathlessly recounted what they called "the miracle on the Hudson." The name stuck.

    Survivors never doubted the truth of that catchy slogan. No "expert" could explain what kept that plane afloat long enough for the rescue. 

    The same two loving, powerful hands hold us

    Rex Babin's cartoon in The Sacramento Bee illustrates a great truth for every believer.

    The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27

    The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.    Psalm 121:8

    Day after day our Heavenly Father watches over us–and our loved ones–with the same tender care depicted in this cartoon.

    By faith we know that's true.

    On good days it's easier to feel the warmth of his smile and His love for us.  

    But when the bottom drops out of our world 

    We may forget and take our eyes off Jesus when trouble comes.   

    These are extraordinary times. It's as if we've been dropped into this Covid-19 pandemic and we're wondering how we got here. We want to gather with those we love and hug them close, but we're not supposed to leave our homes.  

    "Social distancing" leaves us without the human closeness that helps reassure us.

    Instead we have tragedy and fear and scary numbers, over and over and over. And we can't help wondering, will our family members survive? Will we? 

    What will happen afterward–and what will life look like then?

    No one can say and we quake within, wondering. But our loving Father says,

    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:1

    Our call is to keep trusting, whatever comes. 

    Counter fear with Truth 

    It helps to take time reading God's written word, the Bible, and plant his truths in our minds and hearts.

    Repeating verses aloud can help us get through whatever comes. Remembering them when we wake with a racing heart helps quiet our anxiety.

    You probably have your own favorites. Here are some of mine, all NIV unless noted.

    Cast all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.                                                                                   1 Peter 5:7

    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

    The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.  Psalm 29:11

    You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3  NKJV

    The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   Lamentations 3:22-23

    Our loving Father holds each of us safe and secure. And because of Jesus, he looks at us with love.

    Yes, that goes beyond our human understanding–and it's meant to, for He is Almighty God and we are only human.

    Today and every day, may you know His peace.  

    Lenore 

    The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

    – See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Faithfulness-Of#sthash.mZBd0t36.dpuf

    Lamentations 3:22-23

    The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

    – See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Faithfulness-Of#sthash.mZBd0t36.dpL

    How every day of our lives is our own “miracle on the Hudson”

  • Life is fragile. 

    Every breath we take is a gift.

    That's the refrain that drummed in my mind when I saw the photos and heard the story of US Airways Flight 1549, the one that ended up in the Hudson River January 15, 2009.

    Did you hear it, too? US Airwaysdoc496ffbd6332ac959808552

    But for the grace of God … you or I could have been one of the people standing on a wing of that sinking US Airways jet. Or it could have been someone we love, icy water swirling around their legs and their lips turning blue. 

    A couple members of our family fly often in connection with their work and all of us fly now and then. That day I knew every one of our family members was on the ground. I breathed a silent Thank You, Lord!, feeling a bit guilty for being so self-involved.

    But for the grace of God … that plane, bound from New York to Charlotte, N.C.,  would have been flying over mountainous terrain or a less-inhabited area, with rescue equipment miles away.

    Instead … they hit that huge flock of Canadian geese while they were still close to New York, which, since 9/11 has in place elaborate rescue plans and trained public employees for every type of emergency. 

    But for the grace of God … a less-experienced pilot would have been flying that plane.

    Instead … it was Capt. Chesley Sullenberger. "Sully" graduated from the Air Force Academy and flew eight years for the USAF as a combat pilot. He had studied how cockpit crews react in a crisis and is a certified glider pilot. 

    By the grace of God … Sullenberger made the right split-second decision. He turned the engineless plane around, gliding safely down over the Hudson River. Volunteers from boats that "happened" to be close by worked together with rescue personnel. 

    Instead … of drowning, passengers and crew were rescued within minutes. They're alive and, as one said when interviewed, "I will never take life for granted again."

    By the grace of God …

    Every passenger and crew member on US Airways Flight 1549 survived.

    Blog. Cartoon of miracle on the Hudson. 9.16

    I can't tell you what was in cartoonist Rex Babin's mind when he drew this cartoon. Could it have been this verse?

    The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.  –Deuteronomy 33:27 

    By the grace of God … 

    You and I woke up this morning.

        And the morning before this one.

            And the morning before that.

    Not one of us possesses a guarantee we'll be here tomorrow, or even at the end of this day.

    • So why waste our time focusing on the "if onlys" of life?
    • Or get hung up on the woulda/shoulda/couldas?
    • Why bother to nurse hurt feelings or grudges?

    Rather, let's appreciate the people in our lives and the good things all around us. Let's make the most of who we are and of every day we're given. 

    By the grace of God … you and I live and move and have our being.

        Life is a gift.

        Every breath we take is a gift.

        The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms.

    For more, anytime you find yourself feeling fearful or all alone, turn to Psalm 139 and read the first eighteen verses. Let those beautiful words wash into your heart and your spirit. 

    Peace to you, my friend, 

    Lenore

        

    Lessons from the “miracle on the Hudson”