
On a recent flight, as we prepared to land, the airline steward came over the intercom with the familiar spiel, “Please check that your seat belt is securely fastened, and your seat and tray table are in the full upright position.”
But then the gentleman surprised everyone with his own twist. “As we say back home in Hawaii, ‘Malama Kekahi i Kekahi,’ which means to take care of one another. So please check that those sitting near you have also completed these tasks.”
Me: Excuse me, sir. Your fine tailored suit and polished wingtips scream “Senior Executive,” but could you please turn off that laptop and return your tray table to the full upright position?
Senior Executive: No visible reaction. Continues typing.
Seriously, taking care of one another–now that’s straight outta scripture!
Each of you should look no only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
Angie, from Water For Camels summed this idea up beautifully in her recent post, “Learning to Lean”
“We have an innate need to connect,” says Angie. To lean on someone else doesn’t necessarily mean you’re about to fall. It’s proof we’re fallible humans. Allowing another person to support us temporarily, so we can right ourselves, is a good thing. Yet this requires humility and letting this (trustworthy) person inside.
Kind reader, today and every day, may we follow the wisdom of a Hawaiian flight attendant, the Holy Bible, and my blogger friend Angie: “Malama Kekahi i Kekahi“–take care of one another.
Lastly, I’d like to thank several of my Christian blogger friends, you know who you are, who’ve taken care of me through your prayers these past few weeks. I am grateful beyond words for the bond we share in Christ.
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Photo by Sheila on Pexels.com
Comments
31 responses to “Surprise in the Sky”
No worries at all! I wouldn’t expect a comment within any particular timeframe. I hope that’s not a wordpress expectation for most people because I only get on here if my son naps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that Japanese phrase, Stacey. Pride is such a relentless enemy; daily reminders to be more humble and grateful are needed. Thank you for reading and commenting. For some reason, I did not see your comment until 4 hours later. Sorry. ☺️
LikeLike
I feel like sometimes Christian ideas in other cultures get my attention as much as a sermon. A Japanese phrase I learned and now use before eating is, “I humbly receive.” It helps me be more deeply thankful than other more rote things I’ve said over the years
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d like to see the results, as well, Nancy! It’s a tall order, but we can overcome evil with good. Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this story, David. I wonder what the collective outcome might be if we looked for opportunities to take care of the folks around us–strangers included? (I like what I’m seeing in my imagination!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] as I read David’s post about flying in his blog davidsdailydose.org, it brought back memories of the time I was briefly an assistant flight […]
LikeLike
I can envision you having fun with that. 🤪
LikeLike
On one flight I was on I ended up being between two attendants with their carts as I was trying to get back to my seat. I had fun helping them hand out stuff. It turned into a comical moment for the other passengers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Peggy! I appreciate your input. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful reminder for all us! Take care of one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was quite a surprise to hear this young man’s addendum to the “it’s time to land” routine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Simply B! I am happy to be a part of your “who else?” prayer list.😊
God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful wise words David. Isn’t it great how Father God uses the most unexpected things to remind you that He cares…even a Hawaiian flight attendant! God bless you today brother 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great post and important message. Blessings to you on this Sunday. I had the opportunity during the night for lots of prayer (insomnia). At one point I prayed “Lord, who else needs prayer that I haven’t mentioned?” I’ll just believe that you were on God’s heart when I asked “who else?”. And you’ll be in my prayers today. 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊Thank you, friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh David, you don’t have to explain. I just wanted you to know, I will add you to my prayer list so I can “Malama Kekahi Kekahi.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
I read a quote by the former CEO of Caterpillar, Inc (the yellow bulldozer folks). “Always make the job itself the ‘hero’” This thought really stuck with me. Our overarching mission should always be priority one. For Christian’s that’s “Love one another, as Christ loves you.”
Thanks, Gary. God Bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had some important life-things happen recently and reached out to some blogger friends for prayer. I should have thought of you, Betty. You’re quite the encourager! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was priviledged to work for a CEO who would stop and fix something or get it fixed right away in his walk throughs. He listened to the workers. His comment to me once: I hope I am never too important to unplug a toilet.
He led the charge developing a spirit of cooperation. I’m going to text him that Hawaian greeting. Thats good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful thoughts, David! I try to do this, but this post encourages me to be on the lookout for even more opportunities to do this, too. Enjoy your Sunday! P.S. I didn’t know to pray for you, but I’ll add you to my daily list going forward – just to cover all the bases. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! Yeah, it does make you wonder. That’s interesting stuff, David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apparently they rowed (or sailed) in large canoes from other nearby islands. These short hops were their way of finding greener pastures. Can you picture them landing on Waikiki Beach? 🏝 “ Dudes, we could build a resort here!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s cool—where did they “canoe” from, I wonder? For some reason this always makes me think of Vikings paddling a big boat. I love this picture of Acts 2. Peace and bountiful blessings, brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rainer! I did a little research—after we landed, of course. 😇 Many Pacific Islanders came as “canoe people” from other islands, bringing lots of cool stuff with them. Rather than hoard these treasures, they freely shared (back and forth) with others—thus helping everyone. It’s a real “2nd Chapter of Acts” thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, David. Thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder of our need to simply “Malama Kekahi i Kekahi”.
LikeLike
I am grateful for you too, my brother. A cord of three (or many more) strands is not easily broken!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree. Asking others into our lives, I would say, is virtually a biblical command…although it’s not, perhaps, worded that way…
Grateful for you David
Andy B
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank you for reading and commenting, BG! I was so intrigued by what the young flight attendant said I took out my phone to Google it. Oops, I wasn’t supposed to have my “personal electronic device” out until we taxied to the gate.🙃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this!
LikeLiked by 1 person