Sometimes, flying feels too godlike to be attained by man. Sometimes, the world from above seems too beautiful, too wonderful, too distant for human eyes to see …

— Charles A. Lindbergh, The Spirit of St. Louis, 1953

Just setting the scene for how it went down
Looking back on my past and the life that I found
Standing on a playing field, looking up at the sky
Knowing it was imminent, I was gonna die
As the plane flew over, the tremor was real
But not from the engines this shaking I feel
Gut wrenching shaking from deep deep inside
My last vestige of hope had just been denied
Resignation reigning with a tear and a sigh
My life now over, I’m not gonna lie
Hopes and real dreams of a hyper young lad
Wasted away by choices I wish’d id never had
The moment now over, eyes down again
Left foot, right foot, same after same
Over to the doctor’s, collect the meth
My life now covered in the stench of death. By Stuart Patterson

In the seventies and eighties, growing up in Easterhouse, my world was as vast as the magazine images, maps, and TV programs that fuelled my imagination. For a young boy like me, these were the only windows to ‘seeing the earth’ in an era way before the advent of Google Maps and the digital age. I was captivated by every depiction of our planet, each image and map a treasure that fed my longing to one day see it all from above.

Geography was my favourite subject at school, not just a class but a doorway to distant lands and cultures. Yet, the reality of our family life was starkly different. We grew up with limited means, in a time when budget airlines were a concept of the future, making the idea of flying and exploring the world seem like a distant dream.

This yearning stayed with me, a constant companion amidst the struggles and simplicity of our daily life. It was a dream that seemed unattainable, yet it held a place in my heart, a flicker of hope that one day I might soar above and see the world spread out below me.

However, life and its myriad challenges, including bad choices, soon took centre stage. By the age of 27, in 1997, I found myself standing on the Westwood pitches, gazing up at an airplane flying overhead with a heart heavy with resignation. Tears filled my eyes as I faced the harsh reality that perhaps, I would never fulfil this childhood dream of mine…

After thirteen years lost in the shadow of addiction, where heroin dictated my every waking moment, I found myself at Teen Challenge. Here, amidst people brimming with faith in Jesus, I witnessed first-hand the resurrection of hope from the depths of despair.

In May 1997, I began my journey of redemption, learning to live anew in the light of God’s unwavering love.

Fast forward to August 1998, a mere 18 months from my tears at Westwood, I found myself stepping aboard a Virgin Atlantic plane bound for Johannesburg. Back then, Virgin Atlantic was renowned as one of the best airlines, a symbol of excellence and luxury in the skies. Their reputation for outstanding service and pioneering spirit in air travel was well-known, making them a beacon of aspiration for anyone dreaming of flying. For me, embarking on my first ever flight with such a prestigious airline was not just a fulfilment of a dream, but an elevation of it. It was as if the quality and esteem of Virgin Atlantic mirrored the monumental shift in my life – from the depths of despair to soaring heights. As I settled into my seat, surrounded by the airline’s signature blend of comfort and innovation, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Here I was, a man who had once resigned himself to never leaving the ground, now about to fly with an airline that epitomized the pinnacle of aviation. The experience was more than just a journey; it was a testament to how far I had come, and a reminder that sometimes, life surprises us with experiences that surpass even our wildest dreams.”

Gazing down at the African wilderness from my window seat, I realized that God too had felt my sorrow 18 months prior. He saw what I couldn’t – a future where my first glimpse of Earth from above would be over the mystical jungles of Africa, illuminated one small circle at a time by the plane’s lights. As Johannesburg emerged from the redness of the wilderness, tears streamed down my face, not of sorrow, but of gratitude for a dream fulfilled in the most extraordinary way.

Alongside others resurrected from the grip of addiction and guided by the inspirational John and Anne Macey and Paul Evans, our musical director, we ventured to meet Kevin and Helen Ward in Swaziland (now called Eswatini). Kevin and Helen, the dedicated leaders of Teen Challenge in this region, were doing remarkable work, offering hope and transformation to those battling addiction in a community deeply affected by drug abuse and poverty.

Their approach was comprehensive and compassionate, extending beyond the rehabilitation centre into the heart of the community, touching lives in HIV clinics, prisons, schools, and on the streets. Our mission, in alignment with theirs, was simple yet profound: to share through song and story the miraculous works of Christ in our lives. It was an extraordinary opportunity to join hands with Kevin and Helen, contributing to their efforts in bringing about real change. Witnessing the impact of their work firsthand, we felt a profound sense of purpose and gratitude. Together, we reached out to the marginalized, sharing our stories of redemption and hope, knowing that every life touched was a step towards healing not just individuals, but the community as a whole.

I wept that day as well as I thanked God for His fulfilling a wee boy’s dream in such an incredibly amazing way.

It’s why I always look on with fondness at Kevin and Helen Ward’s updates.

It’s why I still long for the window seat when I fly.

God brought my beautiful Irish rose, Tracy, into my life, adding another wonderful chapter to my journey. Being married to an Irishwoman and living in Glasgow means that our lives are frequently punctuated with flights back and forth over the Irish Sea.

Each flight is more than just a journey; it’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of our lives and the joy of exploration. These frequent flights have become a cherished ritual, offering us both the opportunity to gaze upon the landscapes of our two homelands from the skies. The experience is always tinged with a sense of wonder, harkening back to my childhood dreams of flight and discovery.

Tracy’s presence in my life guarantees not just love and companionship, but also a quota of ground gazing each year, as we traverse the skies between her Irish roots and our shared life in Glasgow. This constant back-and-forth is a beautiful metaphor for our journey together – a blend of cultures, perspectives, and shared dreams, all viewed from the window seats of our lives.

A couple of years ago, I had the incredible privilege of piloting a small training plane over Glasgow, the city that holds a special place in my heart. As the plane took off and we ascended, the familiar landscapes of my beloved city unfolded beneath me. The experience was surreal; here I was, soaring above the very streets and neighbourhoods that had shaped so much of my life. We circled around the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a landmark that stood out prominently, its significance magnified from this aerial vantage point.

Then, flying over Whiteinch, I glimpsed my aunty June’s former flat, a sight that evoked a flood of memories. It was a profoundly personal journey, tracing the contours of my past from the skies. Each turn over the city offered a new perspective, a different angle on the places I knew so well from the ground. The sense of freedom was exhilarating, the joy of flying mingled with a deep connection to the city below. It was as if, in those moments, I was not just flying a plane, but also weaving together the threads of my life story, viewing it from a perspective that was both literal and metaphorical. This experience wasn’t just about the thrill of flying; it was a deeper exploration of my roots and the paths I had walked, now seen from the soaring heights that I once thought were impossible to reach.

And yet, as the years pass, my boyhood dream continually reawakens, intertwining ever more deeply with the reality of my life in Christ. With each flight, whether it’s a holiday trip or a journey to Dublin, I find myself drawn to the window seat, captivated by the awe-inspiring view of the earth spread out below. These moments of gazing from high above serve as poignant reminders of how far I’ve come – both in miles travelled and in my personal journey.

The window seat has become a sanctuary of sorts, a place where reflection and wonder merge seamlessly. It’s there, with the world unfurling beneath me, that I feel a profound connection to the divine, a sense of peace and gratitude that transcends the mere physicality of flight.

Today, as I contemplate that Christmas gift of a micro light flight from my beloved Tracy, my anticipation is tinged with a deeper yearning for an even more intimate encounter with the wonder of flight. This isn’t just about soaring through the skies; it’s a symbolic journey closer to the essence of my dreams and the spiritual path I’ve embarked upon.

As my heart and gaze remain steadfastly fixed on Christ, it is my hope that the reflections of His light, seen through my life and experiences, encourage others. May you not only glimpse the transformative power of faith in my story but also find the courage to pursue your own childhood dreams, no matter how distant they may seem. In the vast tapestry of life, each flight, each moment of wonder viewed from a window seat, is a testament to the limitless possibilities that faith and perseverance can unlock.

This POST is part of a wider collection to show the journey that would eventually lead me to the cross of Jesus Christ, my personal redemption, and my journey of faith afterwards. If you would like to know more of my story, please click on my “About” page and take it from there.

Alternatively, you can visit the Media Links page and see a short visit done by BBC Radio Scotland for an interview I did there.

I have now released an early edition of my story, Completing the Tenner. 

I have also published two poem books: Simply Jesus  and Five Weeks in May

You can purchase these direct from Amazon (please use Amazon Smile link below and Amazon will contribute to ECC at no cost to you), They are all available in both Kindle and Paperback formats.

Or you can buy directly from me. Email me directly to arrange this.

There is now a devotional aimed at new Christians called “Take a seat“ this is available direct from me.

If you or someone you love, needs help with the Christian response to addiction, or if you would just like to know more or need hope, please click on one of the following:

The Haven
Teen Challenge Strathclyde
Teen Challenge UK
Teen Challenge Global
Street Connect
Bethany Christian Trust
Jumping Jacks Outreach
Cornerstone Assemblies of God, Maryland
Broken Chains Ayr
Easterhouse Community Church
Stuart Patterson

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