I consider Peachtree City my hometown. With its high concentration of airline pilots living in the community, I felt this letter appropriate:

“Good afternoon, this is your Captain speaking. You are comfortably seated, I hope, aboard Flight 123 from Atlanta to New York with beautiful skies ahead. We are just a few moments from take off, but I wanted to use one of those moments in prayer.

“Those of you who are not Christian, who may be offended by my praying, or who may not believe in God or Jesus Christ, please place an index finger in each ear for the duration of my speaking. You may also use your headphones or ask one of our helpful flight attendants to assist you. Those of you who wish to listen and partake of this prayer, please do so now.

Dear Heavenly Father, as you lift this gigantic bird into the air, please wrap your mighty arms around us and protect us from harm. Guide us safely through the sky to our destination. Bless each and every passenger here today, Lord. Bless the pilots, staff, air traffic controllers, and airline personnel responsible for making this trip a safe one. Thank you, dear God, for the opportunity to be here today, and help us always to do Your will. It is in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, that I ask these things. Amen.”

Wow! What a comfort passengers would feel after hearing that or something similar prior to each and every flight. What an impact! What a statement! I'm sure there are a few silent prayers whispered prior to most every flight, but hearing it announced over the intercom might just make things better. A prayer of thanksgiving upon safely landing might not be a bad idea, either.

As Christians, we were placed on this earth to tell the good news, to represent Christ verbally as well as by our actions. It's time we stopped living a life of complacency! We go our own ways, just getting by, just surviving, focused on ourselves, consumed by careers and success. But is that what we as Christians are all about?

Of course not. Centuries have passed with Christians taking the necessary stand to be fishers of men to spread the good news of Jesus, risking their necks a little bit so that others may unite for the same cause.

Where is the drive? Where is the stamina? It's been stifled by political correctness; and our nation's founding fathers are rolling in their graves because we've let the torch fall. Granted, being led by our illustrious president doesn't help much, nor does being overwhelmed by immorality everywhere we turn.

People, we live in a free country. We don't have to hide in cellars to read the Bible, worship God, and take a stand. We bought our morning coffees today with currency that reads, “In God We Trust.” Can we at least show a little liveliness?

Each of us is capable of doing great things. It's a matter of putting our minds and hearts into it. Whether we are pilots or sanitation engineers or doctors or construction workers, our actions speak volumes. Who are we representing right now?

Heather H. Smallwood

Lincolnton, Ga.

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