Holding Pattern

There are a couple of phrases I dread most while travelling via flight. One is when the pilot comes overhead announcing some choppy turblence ahead. The second is the pilot announces that due to some circumstances in the sky or on the ground we are going to be in a holding pattern for a little while. Nothing may change while we are in this holding pattern, but it can be exhausting as the anticipation of reaching the final destination begins to grow.

Life can sometimes mirror this experience, and we seem to be in one of these holding patterns as I write this. Chris and I find ourselves persevering on the small things, going to work, taking care of the family, and focusing on becoming debt free. At times the long term goals feel like mountains. I feel as if I am looking out the window of the plane and I see the faint image of where we want to be, but we keep holding and waiting. There are days when it is as if all we can do is put one foot in front of the other in faith that we will hit the goal at some point. It is not that we have no joy in our lives. Within our family we enjoy many happy and meaningful moments, but it is just the process that can weary even the seasoned traveler.

We continue looking out the window with great hope and anticipation. Even as we experience the death of some things in our lives that we once invested all our hopes and dreams. Oh how I long for the day when we are clear for landing.