Yesterday I spent the day in the waiting room of our local hospital while my husband was there for outpatient surgery. It got me thinking about how much of our lives we spend waiting. We all tend to be waiting for something, significant or not. Some things for which you may have found yourself waiting, or currently are waiting, include:
- Waiting in line…perhaps at the grocery store; airport security; a concert; at the Department of Transportation
- Waiting in rush hour traffic, or for a stoplight to turn green
- Waiting for Christmas (an interminable time to wait when you’re a child!)
- Waiting for your birthday to arrive, especially for the “big ones”, like 16, 21, 65
- Waiting to meet the person you want to marry
- Waiting for the birth of a child or grandchild
- Waiting for the right job
- Waiting for the end of the work day, or end of work week
- Waiting for the next election
Waiting can try our patience. It can be very frustrating because we are waiting for something to occur that is beyond our control. What we do and the attitude we exhibit while we are waiting reveals a lot about us.
While I was in the waiting room, I got out my computer and started writing. I glanced up from time-to-time and looked at my sojourners in the waiting room. I saw one person staring off into space, lost in thought…perhaps concerned about the outcome of the surgery for her loved one. A group of women were engaged in a discussion. Several people were reading. One person was pacing. Another repeatedly went to the person on duty to obtain information, presumably about the condition of their loved one in surgery. One man just sat with his arms folded, doing apparently nothing the whole time. It was clear after several hours that most were growing weary of the “waiting” process.
This brought to my mind one of my favorite verses, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” KJV
When we wait upon the Lord, we can know that His timing is perfect. That He, a Good and Sovereign God, has everything under His perfect control. He is completely trustworthy and will always do what is best for His beloved children.
While my husband was in surgery and I was waiting for the doctor to come out to report the results, I was at perfect peace. Although his was not major surgery, no surgery is without risk. Yes, I trusted the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the nurses, and all those tending to my husband. But my confidence was not at all in them. My confidence was totally in the Lord, Whom I know oversees every bit of my husband’s life. I knew that nothing could happen to my husband that hadn’t been sifted through God’s loving, powerful Hands. And even if things didn’t turn out the way that I desired and had prayed, I knew that God is faithful and I counted on His promise to be with me no matter what.
I know that in life there will always be things that lay in wait for me that are far too big for me to handle on my own. However, like the eagle soaring close to the sun, I choose to live close to God, and nothing is impossible for Him Who will never leave or forsake me. Therefore, I will be fine whether I am “running” –thriving— or only able to barely walk. He is my strength and hope while I wait.
For what are you waiting? Does your attitude exhibit your hope and trust in the Lord while you are waiting?
Written by Julie Van Gorp