Waiting Rooms

7/13/10 We have all been in different periods of waiting in our lives---sometimes in actual rooms. Waiting rooms in labor and delivery are fun places to be. Not so much so in an ICU waiting room. Today’s trip to West Clinic to wait for info on Mommar was somewhere in between those beginning and ending extremes.

I’m not sure what I expected---maybe a sterile environment with people slumped in chairs under a spell of self-pity, dwelling on their own sorrow or disappointment. Would there be tears of despondency? I knew there would be tears from brother-in-law Bill. He had cried yesterday during her birthday celebration.

There were lots of different waiting rooms at West clinic---somewhat warm and inviting, especially considering the circumstances. But the room that I saw that seemed to be filled with the most smiles was the one full of the folks in the recliners waiting for the completion of their chemo treatment. Maybe it was because these people had hope that their treatment would give them more tomorrows.

Not only does our sovereign Lord not leave us during a time of suffering, He gives us hope for “better tomorrows.” He gives us a course of action, a place to turn---toward Him. The invitation of Hebrews 4:16 is open to all who are in God’s waiting room. "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." If you are there, in a period of waiting, boldy approach the One who is the Giver of grace and mercy. You will find it in your time of need even as you “wait.”