Sky Diving

​As I was flying home last week, I noticed this storm coming in as we were leaving the gate. A few minutes later. we were sitting on the runway and the pilot came over the intercom to let us know we are in a holding pattern because they had to shut down the airport due to the storm. I thought oh well I can get caught up on my book. As I was reading my book, I felt this tap on my arm and this guy who was sitting next to me asked what I reading? At first, I thought why are you interrupting me while I’m reading, didn’t he see I was reading? Plus, the name of the book is on the cover and it was facing him. No, I was not being Jesus like in my head LOL. I took of my head phones and answered him with a smile. He said oh ok! And then asked me if I was a preacher? Well if he would have been in my head thirty seconds before that question I promise he would have not asked that questions. I said no I’m not, I’m in sales and here on a business trip. He said oh, ok I will let you get back to reading and I said Thank you.  A few minutes later the pilot came over the intercom and said we have the permission to take off.  I was still reading, and I came across this part of the book as it talked how God views the world and the people. I took off my head phones and looked out the window and thought what a great view and is this what Gods sees every day?  As I was looking out the window I felt that same tap on my arm, I turned, and the gentleman said it’s a nice view isn’t it? I agreed, and he said you should see as you jump out of a plane. I was like excuse me?  I’m sure he saw the confusion on my face and he proceeded to tell me that he was a skydiving instructor. I said oh ok, I was wondering where you were going with that as he laughed. I asked why in the world would he jump out of a perfect good airplane? He told me it’s a place he connects to God and I said well I’m sure your praying all the way down. I asked a lot of questions and we had a great chat about sky diving. I had to ask about is it true about when people hit the ground when things go wrong the bounce like a basketball? He said laughed and said yes it true. I said sorry but had to ask. Then he told me that that it’s not the first hit that kills you it’s the second time you hit the ground. I will spare you those details. About that time the pilot came over the intercom and we were to prepare for landing. I said it was good chatting and hope you have a safe flight on your way home.
 
As I was driving home, I thought about what we were talking about and how it applies to our own lives. What is true about skydiving is true in our lives. We have all, at some time hit the ground from failures but it’s not the failure that has taken us out it’s the second hit. I apply this to my own life, I have hit the ground hard. Whether we had a private failure or a public failure, it’s not the failure that crushes us, it’s that second hit that does. When I hit the ground with a failed first marriage it didn’t kill me, but it was the second bounce that got me. I made mistakes, as we both did in our marriage but the friends I thought would rushed over to me, actually created distance. They expressed disapproval or treated me with polite indifference. However, there was 3 men who actually stepped in to catch me before I hit the second time. Even though they did not agree with my choices and decisions they still wrapped their arms around me and loved me. It wasn’t easy for them, but they did what Christ called them to do.  
 
If we want to be like Jesus, here is something simple we can do for others. Catch them on the bounce. When we other mess up, reach out to them with love and acceptance the way Jesus did. When people hit hard, run over to them and wrap your arms around them. God wants us to be with them when they mess up. I’m so thankful for these three men who did that for me. I might have not been open to talk with them at that time, but they never stopped reaching out to me.
 
Be with each other. Don’t just gather information about people who have failed – go be with them. When you get there with them don’t just be in the area with them but be present. Remember you need to catch them don’t try to teach them.