NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore is one of two astronauts currently stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) with no idea of when he will return to Earth.
For many people, the idea of being stranded in space for any number of days, let alone months, would cause some anxiety and fear. But not Mr. Wilmore, who is relying on his faith and trusting God no matter the outcome.
Subscribe to have The Washington Times’ Higher Ground delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
“He just takes it knowing the Lord’s in control and that since the Lord’s in control of it, that he’s content where he is,” the astronaut’s wife, Deanna Wilmore, said in the recent interview.
Mr. Wilmore and fellow astronaut, test pilot Suni Williams, arrived at the ISS on June 5. The duo was testing a Boeing Starliner spacecraft to see if it was suitable for regular flight use, and were scheduled to return to Earth eight days later. That never happened as thruster failures and helium leaks made it unsafe to return on the Starliner.
As engineers work to resolve the problem and transmit solutions to the crew on the ISS, Mr. Wilmore, who has worked with Answers in Genesis ministry, which runs the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, must sit tight and make the best of an uncertain situation. Meanwhile, his family, including the Wilmore’s two daughters, Daryn, 19, and Logan, 16, are prepared to “roll with it” and “expect the unexpected.”
“We’re not saying [that feeling peace in the situation] means that nothing bad will happen or the Starliner will bring Barry home safely, but whatever the Lord does, will be for our good and for His glory,” Mrs. Wilmore explained.
Her words echo that of her husband’s, who told reporters prior to the flight back in June that he and his family were trusting God come what may.
“Our families have been a part of this from the beginning,” he said. “As far as preparing them, they’re prepared. We trust in sovereign God. Whatever the plan is, we’re ready for it, whatever that might be.”
As of now, the hope is that the Starliner can be fixed and return Mr. Wilmore and Ms. Williams to Earth safely as soon as possible. However, contingency plans are in place, including a scenario that would attach the two astronauts to a mission that is scheduled to launch in September and return to Earth in February 2025.
If that’s the case, the retired U.S. Navy captain, will be forced to miss plenty of big moments back home, including Christmas, he and his wife’s 30th wedding anniversary, most of Logan’s senior year of high school, and Daryn’s theatre performances in college.
Regardless of all of that, the Wilmore family continues to rest in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He has a plan.
“Most kids growing up mention the idea [of becoming an astronaut] once or twice, but nothing ever comes of it,” Mr. Whitmore said back in 2017, following his second space flight. “But here I am, and I’ve had the chance to experience leaving the planet. I believe in God’s sovereign plan and purpose, and it’s humbling he allows me to have this opportunity.”
—
Marissa Mayer is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her work has been featured in Christian Post, The Daily Signal, and Intellectual Takeout. Mayer has a B.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Arizona State University.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.