I normally don’t mind sitting in a waiting room. The name describes it well. A waiting room. So when I am in one, I try to be prepared to wait.
The other day I knew that I would be in for a long wait. I brought my Kindle, prepared to do some reading. I was actually enjoying the quiet time and the reading when somebody came into the waiting room talking on her cell phone. Now you would think that she would have ended the conversation upon coming into the waiting room. Not quite.
Her voice dominated the small waiting area. I was now finding it difficult to concentrate on my book. Almost impossible. From her phone conversation, I heard all about her visit to get a pedicure. Then I heard about what she was cooking her family for dinner. Then I heard about her daughter’s soccer game.
Let me state the obvious. Every now and then, it is a good thing to be quiet. Every now and then, it is a good thing to observe a little silence.
William Penn, the English Quaker and founder of the State of Pennsylvania said, “True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body - - nourishment and refreshment.”
The scripture simply says it like this, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) When is the last time that you were still? When is the last time that you were quiet, and listened for the voice of God? It’s not a bad idea. Even in a waiting room!