Overcoming Fear One Flight at a Time

The plane landed just within view of Tater. First, the plane bounced and settled down onto the grassy area next to the runway, and then drove with ease over to the fuel pumps. The fifteen-year-old class clown wasn’t laughing. Tater swallowed with a gulp as his lunch was flip-flopping in his stomach.

“Come on, it’s your turn.” Tater’s friends pushed him. Tater slowly got up and walked toward the plane. “He’s gonna puke!” a boy yelled. They all laughed. Tater couldn’t think of anything witty. Instead, he grabbed his stomach. He heard their laughter trail off as he approached the plane.

“Ready to go?” Pilot Bill asked.

“I’m not sure.” His eyes watered. “I think I ate rotten food.” He grabbed his stomach.

Bill was a seasoned pilot and recognized the fear that Tater had. “Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you.” Bill smiled.

“Thanks, Isaiah, but I’m not afraid. And I hope you will be with me. After all, you are the pilot.” Tater managed to smile.

“I’m Bill and Isaiah is the Profit in the Bible that said that scripture. God is telling you He is always with you and to never be afraid.”

Tater took a deep breath. He looked back at his friends standing at the staging area, still laughing.

“You’ve got this Tater. And God sent me to help you overcome anything you are feeling now. Don’t let fear stop a blessing.”

Tater nodded his head. “Ok, but if I die, my dad is going to kill you.”

They both laughed. “I think you are going to have a great time, Tater.”

The plane started up with a roar and taxied out. The tail wheel plane swayed back and forth until doing a complete donut in the grass. It went around twice, kicking dried grass into the air! Tater waved at the boys with excitement.

“I did that!” He yelled. Proud that he steered the plane on the ground and did donuts like a race car would!

“They can’t hear you, Tater, but God can, and He is pleased you are full of His joy!”

“He is with me, and I will not fear. Let’s do this.” Tater smiled and tightened his belt one last time before lifting off.

 

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Lori Layne is a pilot and author. She is a missionary pilot for Pilots for Christ in Michigan. She is married with six adult children and fifteen grandchildren. She lives in west Michigan with her husband, Tim, and German Shepherd, named Shadow. She loves to express herself and the grace of God in her writing.