In the Waiting Room?
Salisbury Post- November 12, 2016
Sometimes, a wait in the hospital ‘waiting room’ isn’t too bad - like when waiting for a
new baby or for a loved one’s ‘simple’ surgery to end, but quite often the ‘waiting room’
can be a very difficult place. I have become quite the expert in this area, so here are
some tips to improve your ‘waiting room’ experience:
Sometimes, you may have to leave your loved one’s hospital room and go to a
waiting room. There, you can allow your tears to flow more freely. This is when others
will hug you, comfort you, pray for you, or just know to let you have a few minutes alone.
Coffee and water is always available. If the coffee pot gets empty, someone will
make more.
There are baskets filled with snacks and magazines, often brought by members of
local churches. And… Bibles brought by Gideons.
Exhausted? Pull two chairs together. Ask someone for pillows and blankets. Voila!
You have a bed. ‘Chair sleeping’ can be a bit awkward, so someone will try to convince
you to go home and rest, while they take your place in the ‘waiting room’ for a few
hours. Take them up on the offer.
If it gets cold, ask for a heated blanket. There always seems to be a compassionate
person that will find you one.
You may notice others waiting, too. Sharing ‘waiting room’ time is precious, since
you can be there for each other.
People on the hospital staff may stop by to update you. It makes you feel that people
care… and they do!
Did this ‘waiting room’ sound familiar? Ever been there? It is so similar to the ‘waiting
rooms’ of life - where we spend much of our time. Situations or circumstances need to
change. Answers need to come. We pray. We wait.
Matthew 25:35-40 says: “When I was hungry, you gave me meat. When I was thirsty,
you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed
me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me. I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.”
God always puts people in our path to help in times of waiting. They may provide
nourishment for us - maybe a basket with food. Maybe they nourish us by sharing God’s
Word. They give us drink - like coffee or water - or maybe they guide us to the water of
life, so we will never thirst again. They clothe us - sometimes by covering us with a
warm blanket - or speaking warm words to strengthen us. They know our waiting is
excruciating - and they support us by their presence and prayers. Sometimes, we feel
trapped - as if in prison - during that ‘waiting room’ experience - but God always sends
comfort our way - often through others, wanting to help bear our burdens.
No, the ‘waiting room’ is not always a happy place, but it does not have to be a
lonely place. Sometimes, when we are in the ‘waiting room’ and are hurting, we may not
even share with others that we are in that season of waiting. People cannot read our
minds, so we need to ask for support. How can they know to help us, if they don’t know
our need?
Oh, what amazing things I have learned in my ‘waiting room’ experiences! Giving and
receiving! Loving and being loved! Serving and being served! Trusting God! Resting in
His Promises! (Just to name a few!)
Aren’t you thankful for the ‘Matthew 25:35-40’ people in your life? They are always
there when we endure difficult ‘waiting room’ experiences. They help us through what is
often the hardest - but yet can be the sweetest - times of our lives. They help us to be
‘better’ instead of ‘bitter.’ Their love and guidance helps the circumstance to become
one that ‘makes us’ instead of one that ‘breaks us.’
And for those in the middle of a ‘waiting room’ experience, here is a verse to enjoy as
you wait: Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall
strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
I’m waiting, Lord. I trust You.