No one.
In the doctors office (that I work at), if we are running behind, the patients will ask how long its going to be. And often times they reschedule if they cannot wait, or they will roll their eyes and take a seat back out in the waiting room and rehearse a nice long rant for the nurse (*me*) and let us have it. Knowing this, we try to get patients back within a reasonable amount of time. It is a lot less complicated.
I was waiting recently for a lab draw, for myself this time...and after 45 minutes I was a bit nervous. Squeamish to put it correctly. No one called for me. They gave me a pager; but it didn't go off.
So you know, I drive an hour one way for this appointment, and everything is timed out so that we can get it all done in the span of a couple hours. It is exhausting and very LONG, so any perceived "Wait time" is over the top. In my opinion. *smile*
I asked the lady at the check in desk: How much longer? And she politely smiles and says that there is "just one ahead of you ma'am." And sure enough, my name was called, and I was in and out in no time. Only to go up to the exam room on the third floor and find out they drew the wrong labs.
Sigh.
And sigh again.
It all straightened out, but the waiting (again) was rough.
That's when I knew: it will always be this way. Waiting on __________ (fill in the blank). God is looking for our responses in the waiting. Will we trust? Will we rant and rave? Will we wait?
Like most things in life, you can reschedule. However illness isn't like most things. There is NEVER a convenient time to get sick. EVER.
While we have been waiting we have been the fortunate recipient of remarkable kindness from several of you (and maybe just one person?). It is so very humbling and SO APPRECIATED. How they know "just when" is incredible. Nothing short of miraculous really. I love the flowers, the gift cards, the notes, letters, get well soon wishes and all of that. It wells my eyes with tears to know how much we mean to so many. Truly.
We are going through SO MANY things right now. Not just myself, but my father, and our dear friend, and another dear friend. Each of these situations are very serious and require LOTS of WAITING. Results. Planning. More tests. More waiting. See the pattern?
However, I stumbled across an old book that has helped me TREMENDOUSLY: Hinds Feet in High Places, by Hannah Hurnard.
It is about a girl named Much Afraid with her deformed face and feet; longing to follow the Shepherd to the High Places. I'd encourage you to read it. I am reading it again (for the third time). SO many good reminders.
There is purpose in the waiting. Peace, too. The Shepherd longs to take us to the High Places as well if we would only embrace the companions He sends our way to help us. Yes, Sorrow and Suffering are along for the ride...but it doesn't have to be this way. When we realize that there is nothing that the Shepherd won't do for us: it is powerful.
I don't want to spoil this book for you. Just go read it. I hope it gives you what you're looking for.
As we wait, lets listen to some good music/albums, shall we? What's on your current playlist?
DEEPER ROOTS: Where the Bluegrass Grows, by Steven Curtis Chapman
VICTORY, by Bethel Music
RED SEA ROAD, by Ellie Holcomb
SING, by Ellie Holcomb
