Yesterday I left home with no particular destination in mind. On my way to nowhere I visited Dansville, New York and the Finger Lakes Soaring Club. The club sent me a brochure in April or May and yesterday was the day I finally visited their facility. I think I’m going to take a ride in a glider. I’ve been interested in soaring since I was a child and these guys have a really nice facility with certified FAA instructors and good equipment. I’ve talked to another pilot and he told me that soaring is an experience I should have. It occurred to me that soaring is or could be a very contemplative experience. Watching those gliders land and takeoff yesterday reminded me of Michael Joncas’ song “On Eagles Wings”. I love the melody and lyrics of that song. Here are the lyrics.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, “My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust.”
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He’s given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
May the Lord give you peace.
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soaring, psalm 91, michael joncas, finger lakes, dansville, new york
I found myself singing along.
I sometimes wonder if either soaring or hanggliding might be like the dream I once had where I thought I was falling, but then felt as though I had opened up, like a wing, to gently soar to the ground. It was a profoundly peaceful feeling during a rough patch in my life, a bit of hope sent to sustain me.