17,500 MPH??!!

Did you see the shuttle take off today? Being a newly retired person who has not yet tired of being able to lazily drink my morning coffee and read the paper while listening to Regis and Kelly, I caught it in real time.

I couldn't help but hold my breath and say a prayer for safety as the engines began to roar and the fuel ignited in preparation for launch. Then, I sat mesmerized as I watched the launch and thought about where it was headed and the people who were on board. This from a woman old enough to have also been mesmerized when Alan Shepherd simply went straight up and came back down decades ago. (Every school child watched on a TV in the classroom. That was really high tech for the age!)

As the shuttle headed for orbit, the announcer gave updates on the height and speed achieved. I heard him say that a speed of 17,500 mph would be reached in order to send the ship into orbit. I can't even imagine 1,000 mph, much less 17,000+. (I almost said I couldn't image 100 mph, but then I remembered some of my youthful escapades in one tank of an Oldsmobile on some south Texas highways.)

I was struck by this level of speed. Here I am trying to slow down my life and these folks are being subjected to high speed in order to go into orbit. You know, I think high speed is what causes most people to go into orbit.

Have you noticed that when we remain calm and steady we don't have as much tension or friction with others? I haven't "gone into orbit" since I retired. Wow! No wonder my husband is so pleased to have me at home. I'm a nicer person.

Crazy, random thoughts brought on by a historical moment in the ventures of space exploration.

I'm glad I don't have to get to that high level of speed to reach the heavens and speak to and know my Father. "Be still and know that I am God." Thank you, Lord, for giving me the best reason in the world to be still!!