March 1, 2024
But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones. Isaiah 30:18 The Message
I spent the better part of Tuesday in an ophthalmologist’s on-deck waiting room, the one they put you in after the main waiting room where you wait until you go back for the eye tests, scanned, and dilation, until the main act when the doctor is ready to see you.
Remarkable people passed through. I sat next to a woman of about 80 who had a shoulder replacement 2 weeks ago. She told me she was thirsty, which brought an instant awareness of my own thirst. I wish I had thought fast enough to get her some water.
An older couple, whom I came to think of as Mr. Joviality and Mrs. Kindle who kept her head in her e-book, arrived. According to his baseball cap, Mr. Joviality was a veteran submariner He asked very loudly, “When is the lunch wagon due to arrive?” I realized I would love a snack as well.
Mr. Salty walked in and announced to the entire second waiting room that he almost tripped when he was called out of the first waiting room. He wondered aloud if it was from eating too much salt last night. He had a fondness for salty snacks, confessing that he went to town with a bag of potato chips and a bag of corn chips the night before. He told us he gets up four times each night to take care of … his needs. My fantasized snack became salty pretzels with that bottle of water.
Mr. Silver, who had kept his head down to this point, spoke up. “Did you notice the snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. It must be to keep us cool,” to which Mr. Salty replied, “Yeah, we are getting a snow job.” He went on to tell us about losing the vision in his left eye from glaucoma. And then came the zinger. “I guess I’m not going to worry about it too much. Pretty soon I’ll have perfect vision.” He was, of course, talking about eternal life.
This was met with uncomfortable murmurings, a smile from me, and one affirmation. At this point I inserted myself in the conversation. “I notice that in the Bible the people who can see are the ones who are actually blind to the truth.”
Mr. Pink Shirt said, “I had my left lung removed in August. I am now cancer free. I believe God healed me.”
A medical assistant called. “Findlay-Chamberlain.” I left the room with a smile and said, “thanks for the delightful conversation. Keep it up, folks.”
As I waited, again, for the doctor to enter the examination room, I had time to reflect on the surprise I’d had in the waiting room. It was worth the wait. Thanks for the lesson in an unexpected place, Loving God. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 