Growing up in the sixties, Saturday morning had a specialness to us kids that it doesn't today. For four great hours, we had shows like Crusader Rabbit, Fury, Andy's Gang, and my favorite-Sky King. Schuyler King, or Sky to his friends and niece and nephew, owner of the Sky King Ranch, lived in the west-far away from us in New Jersey. And was a true westerner, from his cowboy boots to his cowboy hat. But we never thought of him as a cowboy, because he had Jeeps, and drove mid-fifties Chrysler station wagons-like the ones the recent Chrysler cars are based on. But what put the "sky" in Sky King was he was also a pilot, and flew his own plane-the Songbird. Two different Songbirds were used, think of it as early Sky and later Sky. I liked the later one-the Cessna and flew it many hours in my imagination.
And Sky was a hero to us. He was always bailing his nephew Clipper, and his niece Penny out of trouble. And I always wondered, how could two nerdy, clean cut kids, ever manage to get into so much trouble? The bad kids must have been really bad. Or maybe they didn't have an uncle who flew. And with so much crime in such a non-populated area, it could make a major metropolitan area seem calm on a pay weekend. And when he wasn't busy rescuing them, he was catching spies who were building nuclear devices in Arizona, bank robbers who still said "stick 'em up," and stopping cattle rustlers. Which makes you wonder, who ran the ranch? Restricted to 24 hours a day, all this crime activity left very little time for ranching. But Sky King was committed to people, and was everybody's friend. Even the crooks at the end of the show, ended up respecting him. Nobody ever beat Sky King, and unlike Superman, he could handle kryptonite, too. Didn't have to change outfits,or keep his identity a secret. Everyone knew Sky-you might say that Sky was perfect, and that was his only flaw.
A friend of ours-we won't mention her name, loves Sky King, too. In fact, when I think of Sky, I think of her. She is always cooking for someone at church who is sick. She does camps for kids on weekends, and is very involved in women's ministry. She somehow finds time for her husband, and when they can, visit their house in Arizona-where we are welcome guests, whether they are there or not. And somehow, she finds time to visit and minister to the seniors in nursing homes. A true woman of God, much like a Sky King to us mortals. And I won't mention her name, because it would embarrass her. But she loves Sky King, and maybe he was an influence on her in her earlier life. She is my Sky King.
But today she chooses to serve a different Sky King-one who is not only king of the skies, but of the universe. His name is Jesus, and like Sky he helped the poor, fed the hungry, visited those in the hospital, and took in strangers. He even showed compassion on those in jail. But unlike Sky, He could also raise the dead, and heal the sick. He could give eternal life, as a gift if only you would accept it. He is a true King, in fact the King of Kings, and someday will return in the clouds to take us home. And from Sky King to King of Kings, this woman still follows a true hero.
True heroes are few and far between today. Tiger failed, as did Kobie. Kickers miss field goals, and home run hitters strike out. But Jesus never fails-how's that for a hero?
Sky King never failed his friends-and Jesus never fails us. So don't be afraid to call on Him in any situation. And if you happen to hear the sound of a small plane's engine, out of the clear, blue western sky-it just might be Sky King. And if you know the girl I'm speaking of, you'll know that she is eagerly awaiting the return of her true sky king. While helping strangers, going to Bible studies, visiting those sick, and ministering to her husband. And like Sky King, is always ready to help.
Waiting-the in-between of asking and receiving. Wait with Jesus-He is well worth it. And always on time. Just ask the girl who watched Sky King-she is waiting too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
