Do you have a fear of flying?

That’s a phobia many experience.

It has been the source of many jokes. I remember watching an entire Bob Newhart episode that focused on the problem.

Bob attempted to rid his psychology group of their fear of flying. Though humorous to watch, his wife Emily thought it was no laughing matter. She was not convinced by Bob that flying is safe; Emily wanted to get off the plane.

You’re not alone if you share Emily’s fears.

Her fears were in the past tense; she found the courage to fly.

Emily overcame her fears. Some fly even though terrified; they white-knuckle during every take off and landing.

The fearful are determined to never-ever fly.

Through faith, others will be taking a miraculous future flight.

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV).”

Fear not; there won’t be any crash landings!

Grand-parenting is wonderful; well, it’s grand!

“Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,

and the pride of sons is their fathers (Proverbs 17:6 HCSB).”

I wear the crown proudly and admit to being in the elderly age bracket.

Grand parenting is one of the best perks; one of the blessings of family life.

God rewards both men and women.

“How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in His ways!

You will surely eat

what your hands have worked for.

You will be happy,

and it will go well for you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house,

your sons, like young olive trees

around your table.

in this very way

the man who fears the Lord

will be blessed.

May the Lord bless you from Zion,

so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life

and will see your children’s children (Psalm 128:1-7a HCSB).”

He continues to bless; I’m living to see my grandchildren’s children!

Homesickness is a common malady; beware, it mercilessly strikes around this time of year.

Though I call our current residence home, (like many) I consider the neighborhood where I grew up as my home.

In my case, I have no family left in the small CNY State neighborhood.

Yet, each Christmas I visualize our Mycenae living room and the Ford family tinsel decked tree.

Homesickness is apt to pop-up at any time of year; even grown men are susceptible.

My Dad briefly resided in Southern California, at Devore.

His furnished apartment was in walking distance from me; my husband and our two young children.

At first, my father put up a good front; (not wanting to admit how homesick he was).

Soon, the facade fell.

Dad made sudden plans to go back home.

I know he was happy to return to family and the familiar surroundings he was accustomed to.

“Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place (Proverbs 27:8 NKJV).”