Speakers Say They Know How God Must Have Felt
April 18, 2025 at 5:02 p.m.
Steve and Michelle Robertson, North Carolina, say they know how God felt over 2,000 years ago when his son died on the cross.
“We know what it is like to lose a son on this Good Friday,” said Steve.
The Robertsons spoke at the ninth annual Kosciusko Community YMCA Good Friday Breakfast.
The couple lost their 27-year-old son in a military plane crash this past year. They discovered how God shows up in compelling ways and learned that life will be OK and he supplies their need in abundance.
The Robertsons spoke of their son, John, his desire to be a pilot in the Air Force like his father, to fly planes, his struggles as a child with Asperger's, his achievements and God's work in his life.
While Michelle spoke of her son's youth, the development and then disappearance of Asperger’s, his achievements at the Air Force Academy and the trials and tribulations he endured, Steve, who became emotional in a few instances, spoke of that fateful day when the call was received about the accident and how their faith was strengthened.
Steve, a pilot for American Airlines, had just returned from a short flight from North Carolina to Tampa, and was on the bus when the squadron commander called and informed him of the crash. While his son was still alive, they believed he would die within an hour. His son was hundreds of miles away in Texas. There was only 90 minutes before the last flight to Texas would take off.
“There were so many things happening. It is a blur, a nightmare in play,” he recalled. But when he reached his car, he sat and prayed. He was at a crossroads in his faith and needed God to do something and asked God to show up in tangible ways.
He did.
His wife became caught in traffic and would arrive past the time of the plane's departure. But the captain decided he would delay the flight for Michelle by walking off the plane. Two passengers, who were deadheading on the flight, gave up their seats. A barrage of Air Force officials met them at the airport and took them to the hospital where they were met by more Air Force officers and 20 members of their family.
Seven hours after receiving the call, their son was still alive. “This was my second significant answer to my prayer. God kept our son alive long enough for us to spend 80 minutes with him,” Steve stated.
When he died, the Robertsons were at peace knowing he would be with God, they knew they would be OK, their lives had changed forever, but they would be OK.
Walking into their son's home, they found, among the various spiritual books on the kitchen table, his Bible and a journal and over 35 sticky notes containing lengthy scriptures.
“It was extraordinary that he left us to see evidence of his faith.”
In the middle of a dry erase board was John 14:1 — “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Steve stated it was as if “the Holy Spirit had written it for his mom and dad.”
They also spoke of how their son's life had touched others and of his Christ-like state and being described as a Godly man. “John was who he was because of his relationship with Christ,” they stated.
Michelle stated they are at peace and know that their son accomplished more and experienced more of life in his 27 years. “We are satisfied that he lived his life completely.”
While so much has changed for the Robertson family, who have three living children and several grandchildren, their family is closer, their friends are more loved. Through their faith they have learned to trust more and have the assurance of John's eternity.
Steven referenced James 1, and stated they were not the only ones suffering. He noted the trials God allows people to experience so that they may be made perfect and complete, lacking nothing. As Christians, he stated, people should welcome trials. “You don't get one without the other.”
“Our faith is tested by trials,” they stated and Christians become more Christlike as they pass those tests.
Steve ended by stating, “Honestly, I'm a little jealous (of his son John), I can only imagine what it is like to spend Easter in Heaven.”
The morning events included updates from Lisa O'Neill, YMCA board president, and Dr. James Swanson, YMCA CEO, of upcoming events and programs.
Wally and Shana Brath provided the music during the breakfast and before the speakers.
Just over 200 people attended the morning service.
Steve and Michelle Robertson, North Carolina, say they know how God felt over 2,000 years ago when his son died on the cross.
“We know what it is like to lose a son on this Good Friday,” said Steve.
The Robertsons spoke at the ninth annual Kosciusko Community YMCA Good Friday Breakfast.
The couple lost their 27-year-old son in a military plane crash this past year. They discovered how God shows up in compelling ways and learned that life will be OK and he supplies their need in abundance.
The Robertsons spoke of their son, John, his desire to be a pilot in the Air Force like his father, to fly planes, his struggles as a child with Asperger's, his achievements and God's work in his life.
While Michelle spoke of her son's youth, the development and then disappearance of Asperger’s, his achievements at the Air Force Academy and the trials and tribulations he endured, Steve, who became emotional in a few instances, spoke of that fateful day when the call was received about the accident and how their faith was strengthened.
Steve, a pilot for American Airlines, had just returned from a short flight from North Carolina to Tampa, and was on the bus when the squadron commander called and informed him of the crash. While his son was still alive, they believed he would die within an hour. His son was hundreds of miles away in Texas. There was only 90 minutes before the last flight to Texas would take off.
“There were so many things happening. It is a blur, a nightmare in play,” he recalled. But when he reached his car, he sat and prayed. He was at a crossroads in his faith and needed God to do something and asked God to show up in tangible ways.
He did.
His wife became caught in traffic and would arrive past the time of the plane's departure. But the captain decided he would delay the flight for Michelle by walking off the plane. Two passengers, who were deadheading on the flight, gave up their seats. A barrage of Air Force officials met them at the airport and took them to the hospital where they were met by more Air Force officers and 20 members of their family.
Seven hours after receiving the call, their son was still alive. “This was my second significant answer to my prayer. God kept our son alive long enough for us to spend 80 minutes with him,” Steve stated.
When he died, the Robertsons were at peace knowing he would be with God, they knew they would be OK, their lives had changed forever, but they would be OK.
Walking into their son's home, they found, among the various spiritual books on the kitchen table, his Bible and a journal and over 35 sticky notes containing lengthy scriptures.
“It was extraordinary that he left us to see evidence of his faith.”
In the middle of a dry erase board was John 14:1 — “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Steve stated it was as if “the Holy Spirit had written it for his mom and dad.”
They also spoke of how their son's life had touched others and of his Christ-like state and being described as a Godly man. “John was who he was because of his relationship with Christ,” they stated.
Michelle stated they are at peace and know that their son accomplished more and experienced more of life in his 27 years. “We are satisfied that he lived his life completely.”
While so much has changed for the Robertson family, who have three living children and several grandchildren, their family is closer, their friends are more loved. Through their faith they have learned to trust more and have the assurance of John's eternity.
Steven referenced James 1, and stated they were not the only ones suffering. He noted the trials God allows people to experience so that they may be made perfect and complete, lacking nothing. As Christians, he stated, people should welcome trials. “You don't get one without the other.”
“Our faith is tested by trials,” they stated and Christians become more Christlike as they pass those tests.
Steve ended by stating, “Honestly, I'm a little jealous (of his son John), I can only imagine what it is like to spend Easter in Heaven.”
The morning events included updates from Lisa O'Neill, YMCA board president, and Dr. James Swanson, YMCA CEO, of upcoming events and programs.
Wally and Shana Brath provided the music during the breakfast and before the speakers.
Just over 200 people attended the morning service.