It’s an odd thing to be grateful for, waiting rooms. Specifically, waiting rooms in a doctor’s office or clinic. Though some doctors offer plush lobbies with a stack of great magazines, that’s not the ones I have in mind. I am referring to ones with sterile styling and plasticized upholstered chairs. Though there may be light chatter, more often there is a serious quietude. In these anterooms, one observes unfiltered humanity. It’s like people watching at an airport but with far more pathos. So why would I be grateful for waiting rooms? It’s not the patience factor.
Experiencing waiting rooms evokes gratitude in me first because I usually see folks who are going through so much more than me. Whatever I may be dealing with that brought me to this place, it is clear that others are suffering and facing more serious, even life-threatening illnesses. It is hard and humbling to see sick people or those going through extreme treatment.
During one wait, my husband noticed a frail, elderly woman come in alone. She checked in and was handed a clipboard of forms that appeared to overwhelm and confuse her. He asked if she wanted help, and he was able to read and write for her until she was called back for her appointment. Another time we ran into a friend of mine and her husband. We greeted each other but didn’t ask any questions; later I found out her husband had advanced cancer. I thank God for the reminder, the wakeup call, about my many blessings, including my health.
I also welcome the opportunity to witness the goodness of mankind in medical lobbies. In the waiting and watching I observe care and concern between families, between friends. I have noticed elderly sisters; husbands and wives, young and old; adult children with a parent; paid caregivers; and other companions accompanying patients. There’s so much to admire and appreciate in the compassion and sacrifice of one to another. One young woman, clearly experiencing difficult illness and treatment, came in with her uncle who lived several states away because her husband had to be out of town on business – heartwarming and heart wrenching all at once. But it is good to see goodness.
Theologians call this goodness “common grace.” It’s the capacity God gives His human creation to do good, as He Himself is good. Doing good is not to be equated with salvation however: salvation comes through faith in Jesus, God’s grace-filled gift to us. The Scriptures say, “ … He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy …” Titus 3 v 5 But our disposition for goodness, despite our sinful selves, uplifts us and ultimately lifts us to acknowledge God, the provider of goodness, compassion, and salvation.
References on gratitude: Psalm 136, 1 Thessalonians 5 v15 & v18. If you receive my blog via email, thank you. The posts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”
