“High Flight” for Parents

“Don’t you see that children are GOD’s best gift? the fruit of the womb His generous legacy? —Psalm 127:3 (The Message)

It was the end of a long day. Finally the kids were in bed. Finally the kitchen was clean. Finally there was some quiet. Finally some time to think about her husband—far away, sitting alert at a Turkish air base because some radicals were holding hostages in Tehran. Finally some time to look around her base quarters in Spain, ponder the events of the day, and feel the loneliness amidst the craziness and exhaustion. She sees a copy of “High Flight”, by John Gillespie Magee, Jr., on the wall—every aviator’s home has it somewhere. And she decides to get out the typewriter, think about her husband flying an F4, and compose a “High Flight” of her own:

High Flight—A New Perspective
by Cindy Chilcott

“Oh! you have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Homebound I’ve stayed, and joined the grumbling sounds
Of worn-out Moms, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — laundered and cooked and longed
For sunlit silence. But hovering there — the children.
I’ve chased them shouting and gone
On countless outings to share.

UP, UP you are amidst the burning blue—
Down here I am re-heating day old stew.
You’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
I’ve played with them their games of hunt and chase.
You’re there where never lark or eagle flew—
I’m blowing up balloons until I’m blue!—
And, while with silent, lifting mind you trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
I tuck them in, and touch the face of God.”

We were all “living it” back then, but my friend Cindy was able to write it down for all of us. Looking back some twenty-plus years later, I can see more clearly that those were really good days. It didn’t always feel good at the time, though. The guys were gone all the time! It didn’t seem like it would ever end.

Sound familiar? This is the important thing to remember—children are a gift from God. They are to be cherished, loved, forgiven, nurtured, protected, disciplined, enjoyed, taught, and listened to. That’s not always easy, especially when you’re the one at home trying to deal with the tantrums, sniffles, selfishness, noise—the list goes on and on.

But here is what God says in His Word: “Don’t you see that children are GOD’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children!” Psalm 127:3-5a (The Message)

And if you are the one deployed, and would give anything to be home with your little ones—don’t forget to encourage your spouse who is the caregiver. Compliment them on how they’re managing with the children; ask how you can help even though far away; be on the same team when it comes to who is in charge and who makes the ultimate decisions; continue to communicate with each child individually in a way that makes them feel loved. These are just a few ideas.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17a) When we look into the face of our child, we are looking at God’s gift to us. Cindy got it right, all those years ago. And things like that never change. Thank you, Cindy.

Questions to Share:

1. Do you truly appreciate that your spouse and children are a gift from God?

2. How can you express your gratitude for that gift?