By Mark Hopper

My wife Susan and I celebrated our honeymoon by spending two weeks in Hawaii. We enjoyed a quiet restful time eating breakfast on the lanai at our condo and discovering new restaurants for lunch and dinner. We also did a lot of cooking at the condo and enjoyed eating some delicious steaks from the BBQ grill.

We used a rental car to visit a variety of places on Maui and to purchase some souvenirs and gifts. It was fun to discover some new places and beaches that neither of us had been to before. We continue to smile as we remember our time together in Hawaii.

However our airplane flight home brought us back to reality. We flew my favorite airline Southwest non-stop from Long Beach to Maui. Our return flight was also non-stop back to Long Beach. But unlike our outbound flight the trip home was very different.

Both flights were full but the plane ride home was filled with over 40 children. There were a large number of families with little kids. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been but it was a noisy active group on our flight. Some babies and little children struggled with the change in air pressure. It was difficult for some to sleep. The cabin was filled with the cries of infants who were tired and uncomfortable.

The parents tried so hard to comfort and quiet their little ones. Some walked them up and down the aisle of the plane and tried to settle their child down. Others used electronic toys and video screens to keep their kids quiet. Some were successful and some were not.

Eventually we arrived safely in Long Beach. It was a long flight. By now most of those little kids are home in their own beds and their parents are probably reconsidering their plans for their next trip to Hawaii. I suspect they may wait until their young children are teenagers.

There is a passage in the Bible which illustrates Jesus’ love for little kids. He scolded his disciples for preventing young children from gathering around Him. He opened his arms and welcomed them to his side. (Mark 10:13-16). Let me encourage you to be patient and understanding when you are in a room full or a plane full of young children. And you may want to check with your airline to schedule your next flight with fewer kids on board. You will be glad you did.

“You can read more stories by Mark Hopper in his new book “Let Me Encourage You More – An Encouraging Story for Every Day of the Year”. Order your copy today at markh@efreedb.org. The price is $25 per book or two books for $40 plus postage ($5). Purchase one for yourself and give one to a friend. You will be glad you did!