EMERGENCY: BRACE, BRACE, BRACE!
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4.
Serving the Lord has taken me across the United States and to over twenty countries but—I’ve never been told to BRACE, BRACE, BRACE for an emergency landing until a few days ago.
My flight left New Jersey’s Newark airport on a Sunday evening and headed back to my home town, Portland, Oregon. Teaching, encouraging, and talking to women privately filled the weekend, and seeing their responses to God thrilled me. I was tired but relaxed—and very grateful to God for being upgraded to Business Class! The thought of being fed a meal and then snoozing for five hours seemed like the perfect end to a special few days. Until…
Racing down the runway, we all heard a bang followed by what sounded like snow tires screeching on dry pavement. The crew said nothing. We lifted off, had a normal flight—and then, an hour out of Portland, we heard what had happened.
“This is the Captain speaking,” came the first inkling of what lay ahead. He then explained that we had blown one of the two tires under the nose cone. “Landing could be a problem, he continued, “but there is only a one in a hundred chance everyone will have to evacuate. However, just in case, the flight attendants are going to show you what to do.” Amazed by my complete sense of peace, I calmly followed the instructions for an emergency landing: Strip off any clothing or scarves that might get tangled up, put on your coats, and assume the brace position until the plane came to a halt.
Brace, brace, brace!
After a few minutes the pilot and the cabin crew yelled in unison the command over and over. Grabbing my ankles and pushing myself against the back of my seat, I waited to hear the next command: Evacuate. But it didn’t come. By God’s kindness and the pilot’s skill, there was no fire, no screeching of metal or careening off the runway. It was all quiet—until we erupted in applause for the crew who had kept us safe.I’m a wimpy woman with a dramatic imagination. I jump at loud noises, any size spider, cockroaches that race around with lightning speed, and overlyfriendly dogs. The perfect calm I felt in what could have been a terrifying experience amazed me.
Where did that uncharacteristic response come from?
I have no answer except God.
Qu. What about you? How do you see God changing you in some way? I would love to hear.
Much love and joy,Poppy
Photo credit: GraphicStock Photo