Friday, July 15, 2016

GOING TO GERMANY

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Looking through our picture albums, I saw a picture reminding me of my first trip to Germany on the Lufthansa airlines. I was nineteen and had my baby son in my arms. My soldier/husband was to meet us in Frankfurt airport and take us to our apartment in a little village called Sieglebach.

It frightened me, being on a German airline by myself. I laid my son in the bassinet provided and he fell asleep. Looking out the window at the clouds was astounding. The world below was beautiful.

The captain and two stewardesses walked down the aisle. Who was flying this airplane? The captain saw my fright and haltingly asked if I was German traveling alone. I shook my head and said, "I'm American. Going to see my husband. He's a soldier in Germany." He replied, "Don't be afraid. We get there safe."

How could I not be afraid? The pilot stood here instead of in the cockpit with the smell of alcohol on his breath as he spoke. I sat back in my seat and prayed with everything in me for God to get us safely to our destination. Peace, like a beautiful veil, overshadowed me.

It was a long thirteen hour flight but we landed safely. I was so happy to see my husband again. The next four years in Germany was truly a life-changing adventure, one that I could not have gotten through without God and Jesus by my side.

Thank You, Father, for inner strength that I still feel when alone and discouraged. Many trials assailed me, but with Your help, I remember then as now, You are with me wherever life leads me. Amen

© 2016 Evelyn B. Ryan

2 comments:

Christy said...

What a handsome couple. And what a sweet devotional.

Evelyn R. said...

Thank you, Christy, for your sweet comments. I appreciate that. God bless you always. In Christs lover. Evelyn