Well, another week here in Pueblo is finished, thank God. This last week was a complex one to be sure. It was full of highs and lows. The highs were, well pretty freakin amazing. The lows, well they were pretty freakin sucky. This week was also full of firsts. I flew by myself for the first time. Whenever I say or write those words, it seems so surreal. Three weeks ago I had never been inside a small aircraft. On Thursday I flew one all by myself. Strang. This week was also a first in that I failed at something. Though of course I have failed at many things over the years, I have not failed in something of much significance in a decade. Over the last few years, whenever I have set my mind to something, I have been able to attain it. Whether that was in academics, ROTC, fitness, or anything else, I did not fail. Well on Thursday, following my awesome solo flight, I failed my second ride of the day. And it sucked. On Thursday afternoon, I was supposed to have my second to last flight, followed by my last one on Friday. Well that didn't happen.
During that flight, everything that could go wrong seemed to. Despite my ability to land 11 times earlier that morning, no matter how hard I tried that afternoon, I could not get the plane on the ground. With 13kt cross winds, all my efforts were to no avail. Then, when I got out to my practice area (where we do manuevers), I could not do them to save my life. Before we even got out of the plane back at Pueblo, my instructor told me I would be repeating that flight. It was a punch in the gut. I had tried so hard, and I had done my very best with every "landing" and every manuever, yet it didn't matter. My very best effort still resulted in a failure. For someone who is not used to such things, it is a very difficult pill to swallow. But, at the same time, it was a good. I suppose it is good to fail every once in a while. It is good to have something kick our butts, and it is good to be reminded that our best simply is not good enough. Only is our best through God good enough. That is an important lesson to learn. This was a good time to learn it.
On a happier note, I did redo the flight on Friday, and though I did not feel it to be my strongest flight since being here, my instructor (a different guy) gave me the best grades I've received thus far, and said I was ready for my check ride on Monday. So, God willing, I will be completing my final ride here in Pueblo on Monday, and pass or fail, I will be leaving here by Wed (weather permitting).
As I head into this final flight, your continued prayers would be much much appreciated.
1 comment:
Great reflection Zach! you are right, it is good to fail sometimes and God uses it to teach us important things. And in His eyes it is all about learning, isn't it great that He doesn't have a balance scale of 'failures and successes'? We are proud of you for how you did, but a lot more for your perseverance and clinging to God and HIS truths during a rough time. Love you! mom
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