Holding Pattern - A Testimony. By Annette O. Brown, Author.

---

For anyone who travels by air, regardless of the airline, it can be frustrating when you are kept waiting, an extended amount of time, for the airplane to land.  When circling around in the air it may appear that the airplane is moving around in a random and aimless way.  There is, however, a set pattern that is provided to each airplane.  A pre-designed course that has been set for each airplane called a holding pattern.
 
Holding pattern:
1: the usually oval course flown (as over an airport) by aircraft awaiting clearance especially to land. 2: a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress.   (Merriam Webster.)
 
I was returning to London, from another European country, when the most bizarre episode took place.  We were in the midst of descending to touch down, in a familiar downward swoop for landing, when suddenly, the airplane began to ascend back up into the air!  A few mind boggling minutes later the calm voice of an air attendant prepared us for the pilot’s explanation to the passengers. 

The pilot explained that the tower mistakenly scheduled two planes for landing at the same time!  I am so thankful I am here to share this story, however, it is very hard to overlook this type of error. I am grateful to God for His mercy! Thankfully, our pilot was very skillful and he informed us that we needed to circle around in order to wait for our time to land.  Then he announced that we would be flown over some major tourist sights to make our wait interesting.
 
The desire to get to one’s destination can often be thwarted by different “hurdles” and unforeseen challenges. It was January, 2019 and we were excited about taking the final steps for uploading my first book. "Encounters and Reflections - Can you hear me now?" The book would be processed in a formal review before going live online.  We were happy with our final edits.
 
“O.K. now it’s time to hit the authorize button.”  E. Barber instructed.
 
I took a screen shot of the screen and said “Let’s pray.”
 
We prayed and thanked God for the opportunity and privilege and prayed that the book would be effective in touching hearts and minds in a blessed way.
 
I hit the return button and then up popped this message!
 
“We’re Sorry.  The service or feature you’re trying to use is currently unavailable.  We’re working to solve the problem as quickly as possible.  Please try again later.”

Screen shot of actual message
 
 
My mouth dropped open and my heart felt like it was doing the same.  
 
“A system error!  The devil is a liar.  Let’s upload this again as soon as possible.” I stated. 
I refused to even take time out to trouble shoot what may have caused this error.
 
We resubmitted the request and received a message that the book was “under review”.  Success!  A major first step had been made in the publishing process.  I now had to wait for a formal review of the book’s interior and exterior content and format.
 
We received an email informing us of two or three minor errors in the format of the book.  Professional corrections were made, however, days turned into weeks.  We submitted and resubmitted.  Finally, emboldened by prayer, I decided to call the relevant publishing department to speak to someone.
 
“Please hold on I will connect you with someone to assist you.  I’m going to connect you with someone in the department you need.”
 
“Well I….I was just calling to get a number and a contact number for my editor…” I said timidly.
 
“Miss, do you want to get information about your book?”  asked the customer service representative. 
 
There was only one answer to that question.   I answered “Yes, yes I do.”
 
“Hold on please while I connect you.”
 
I expected to be connected to someone with little or no time to speak to me.  The individual, however, was clear, concise and very patient.  At the end of our conversation he declared:
 
“…so, after these updates are made you will be ready to advertise your book .”  
 
“Thank you so much for your help.”  I exclaimed.
 
“No problem, I am here to help you!”  He said very jovially and matter-of-factly.
 
This representative felt like a helper, an angel, sent to me to provide complete clarity and remove “all” obstacles.
 
Armed with clarity regarding the minor adjustments that were required, we made the final changes. 
On Sunday, January 20th I received the following messenger message:
 
 
“Good morning my sister.  Sorry to bother you on a Sunday morning, but it appears that you should check your email again.”
 
“Takeoff has occurred!”

 - 
Released from my holding pattern! I was immediately able to identify with a plane taking off from a runway.  God knows the journey that has been carved out for me, for us! 
 
I pray that I stay on my life’s course.  Ready to take off, remain in a temporary holding pattern or land in the specific locations I need to be in.   Each of these types of airplane activities are necessary and they serve as metaphors for parts of a purpose driven, Christ directed life. ​



"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."  Psalms 27:14 (KJV).

​
Annette O. Brown - AOB Creations Publishing
Photography - AOB Creations - Annette O. Brown
Emery Barber - EBCreativemedia.com
Copyright ©Copyright © 2016 by Annette O. Brown. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from tb Annet                                                                                                   Copyright © 2019 by Annette O.  Brown

                                                      All rights reserved.  Written permission must be secured from the author.
te O. Brown. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the author.
Copyright © 2016 by Annette O. Brown. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the author.