Beforeword: A few of you asked, “Where’s the poem?” after I shared the article on my harrowing flight experience from Toronto to New York. So, here it is in poetic form:

The flight took off through snowstorm’s might
We trusted the forecast, we trusted the flight
But when time came for landing, the winds took their stand
As if the enemy determined, “They won’t safely land”

The engines groaned, the wings bowed low
City lights flickered, dimmed to a glow
A whispered prayer, a held-back scream—
A battle raged beyond what can be seen

I believe God stood, firm in the darkened sky
“Their purpose remains, they shall not die”
Plane nose dipped down—the runway clear
The wheels reached out, the ground drew near

But darkness grinned, the crosswinds rose
And up we climbed—the landing closed
Four times the storm would toss and turn
Four times the pilot’s skills would burn

Yet heaven’s hand refused to sway
“Not on My watch, not now, not today”
Guardian angels wove through the steel
A hush of peace the soul could feel

The winds did howl, the tempest rise
But God still reigns beyond the skies
“My child, hold on, for I am here
Your time’s not up—give not in to fear”

Back to the start, though shaken still
Weary, yet heart with gratitude is filled
To breathe, to rise, to see the dawn—
A life preserved, a journey drawn

Now I stand on solid ground
With grateful psalms, my praise resounds
For what was spared, for what’s in store
For battles ahead and victories more

Afterword: As I pondered how to capture that night in poetic form, I was reminded of a powerful quote from one of my favorite spiritual writers, E.G. White, in The Great Controversy:

“If the veil could be lifted, and we could see the struggle of the angelic hosts with the powers of darkness, and the efforts of our guardian angels to protect us from the snares of the evil one…”

Reflecting on that night (6 Feb 2025) I cannot help but see it as a battle between good and evil—each attempted landing thwarted by the winds as a struggle for the souls aboard that small aircraft. But through it all, my good-good Father prevailed. Even now, I’m still in awe of His protection.

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Image by me (from plane window of return flight to NY) 

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In creative solidarity, Dee