The Miracle on the Hudson

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I have finally seen the movie, Sully.

It was shown on my last cruise, out under the stars

by the pool,

but I just couldn't miss another activity first 
and was too late to get a chaise!

I had to resort to shelling out some $$s for it here at home!
Oh, wow! I watched it last Saturday night and
couldn't wait to watch again on Sunday afternoon.

If, by chance, there is anyone left out there 
in the sound of my voice who

hasn't seen this movie, you have a treat in store.

This is one of the stories of our lifetime,

made even better because it had such a 
beautifully perfect ending.

One thing of which I made particular note.

It was only 24 minutes from the time the plane

touched down on the Hudson 

to the time all passengers and crew were rescued!
(A good thing since the air temperature 
was only 19 degrees and the water 41 degrees.)

The first time I teared up in the movie was when

a rather gruff ferry boat captain radioed in amazement

that he had just spotted a passenger plane in the river

with people on the wings!

He was the first to arrive to help, in as little 
as 6 minutes, I believe.
The actions of the rescuers--ferry boat captains,
Navy divers, first responders, the Red Cross 
and so many others--made me cry some more.

As for that touchdown, here are a few facts from

the captain himself when asked by Charlie Rose
"What could have gone wrong?"
Sully said,

"If we hadn't had the wings exactly level, 

it would have spun us around.

The aircraft might have broken apart.

If we had landed with too great a rate of descent,

the airplane may have broken apart and

wouldn't have floated long enough for the

rescue to take place.

If we had misjudged the height at which to begin

the landing, even by a fraction of a second..."

The investigation into the "water landing" 

(not "crash" insisted Sully) took 15 long months, 

although I didn't realize that from the movie.

This had to be horrendous for Sully, even though he

was hailed as a hero by the masses.

When we were in New York recently, I kept

looking at the Hudson and wondering in what

area the plane had come to rest.

I have since realized that it was near the area of the

Intrepid Air, Sea, and Space Museum.

At least once our cruise ship was parked next

 to the Intrepid--I took pictures of it from our deck.

I wonder if there were cruise ship passengers

who witnessed this miracle in person.

One thing that makes me sad about the story is

that Captain Sully credits only his years of training

 and skill for this landing.

He does not wish to be called a hero, but he also

gives no credit a higher power--
the Creator who gave him his brilliant mind
and the perfect recall of his skills to save lives.

Nevertheless, I do...and this will be the

picture etched indelibly in my mind when I remember

the Miracle on the Hudson.

"For you, O Lord, have made me glad
by what You have done.
I will sing for joy at the work
of Your hands."
Psalm 92:4

Is I Is or Is I Ain't...Blessed?

I have no earthly idea how or why this title

took root in my mind for these serious thoughts.

But it did.

Now is there anyone else out there who remembers

"Is you is or is you ain't my baby?"

I know...probably not!


A blog post showed up on my Facebook 
page a month or so ago.
I took particular interest, since I had been
debating whether or not to reply,
"I am blessed,"
when presented with that oft asked question,
"How are you?" 

CLICK HERE

I shared the article on my Facebook page, but only 
dear Shari Bower and a couple of her friends 
shared my depth of interest.


Knowing that you may not wade through the
entire article (but I hope you will,) I am going to share
my feelings on some parts.


{1.} I have been convicted that a reply "I am blessed"
to the question, "How are you?"
could easily be misinterpreted.
As you know, I am usually overdressed for almost
any occasion(!), makeup enhanced to the best
of my ability, perfectly coiffed, etc. 
So a reply claiming blessing could easily be construed 
to mean that I am bragging of my material blessings.
That pretty much horrifies me!


{2.} Saying "I am blessed" might seem to indicate
that in some way I am deserving of what I have.
I am not. No way. Nada. 
I deserve absolutely nothing.
Even the fact that my life has not always been as easy
as it is now does not mean I am deserving
of anything. It is NOT "my turn."


{3.} The article makes it appear that if one calls
 their material possessions blessings that he or she
is supporting a "prosperity gospel"--
the belief that God rewards faith in Him with
material blessings.
I do not believe this at all. I believe that
preachers who tell listeners this are
false teachers, of whom we are warned in the Bible.
Nowhere does God promise us material
prosperity in return for our faith or obedience.



{4.} In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
Jesus spells out who He calls blessed.
He lists the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek,
 those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and
those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
I get this, and I earnestly want to be included
in this group.
I just don't think this is an exclusive group--
that these are the only people God blesses.
Though I am not always merciful, pure in heart,
etc. etc etc., I believe God greatly blesses me daily.


{5.} How has he blessed me?
First and foremost,
 He has saved me from my sinful state.
He sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to die for my sins.
He provided a way for me to live forever--
just by accepting and believing and trusting in Him.
I am His, and He is mine.
There is no blessing to compare with this.
But I believe I have been blessed in approximately 
one billion other ways:
By being born in the USA; by my fabulous family
and friends; by health, including every breath I breathe; 
and by material things, just to name for starters.
But...please refer back to {2.}



So, "Is I Is Blessed?"  "Yes, I most definitely is."
How will I be answering that common question,
"How are you?"
I believe I will go with the blog author's suggestion
and answer, "I am grateful."
Because I most definitely am. 


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