More Examined In The Waiting Room

“Our work as God’s servantsgets validated-or not-in the details. People are watching us…” Excerpt from 2 Corinthians 6 (The Message)

I entered the baby blueshoebox-sized office to be promptly shooed away to a steel framed chair.  “Well good morning, Sunshine,” Imurmured as I slid down into my seat. “Sunshine” beckoned me once for the insurance card hokey-pokey and thenpointed to the same chair I left just moments ago.  And there I waited.  

Twenty minutes passed when apleasant nurse called me back, checked my vitals and placed me in anexamination room.  My doctorconducted a thorough examination and provided a great report. Yes!

My delight swiftly became dreadas I approached the check-out counter. Ugh, there she is again.  I waited silently, being blatantlyignored; not even eye contact! “Sunshine” was in the middle of an intimate file tango and my presencewas clearly an undesired interruption.

Takea deep cleansing breath, I commanded myself as I examined mysurroundings.  Lo and behold asubtle delight returned when my eyes observed the McDonald’s iced coffee thatrested next to her.

Ah,yes! When…IF…I get out of here…I’m hitting the Golden Arches to get a free icedcoffee with the coupon waiting patiently in my wallet!

I dug into my purse, pulled outmy wallet and obediently stood at attention until I could pay and escape.  Immediately, conviction dropped on meas fast as a new mother tends to her baby’s peep.  I reached into my wallet, pulled out my precious coupon andthought, Yes God, I will.

Gulp.“Isee you like those iced coffees too. Here, take my coupon for a free one.” 

She looked up at me.  Her strained brown transformed into apleasant and familiar double arch. We chatted easily for the next ten minutes in friendly conversation and partedwith wide smiles.  You know, theway friends do.  

No, there wasn’t an opportunityto tell her about my faith, but I did get to show her what it looked like.  That moment wasn’t about her grumpinessor my initial negative reaction. It was about my choice to be more like Christ, even when I really didn’twant to.  God used that opportunityto show me it is more important how I behave while I wait, than how I behavewhile I am examined.  How I wait is a front row view of who I really am.

You know what it cost me? Well,depending on the size, $1.69 or $1.99 (plus tax)…no, it cost me my pride.  I decided to swallow a calorie-freeportion of pride rather than a free iced java. 

Yes, the doctor examined me inthe examination room that day.  Buteven more importantly, God examined my character in the waiting room.  And, in both rooms, the test resultscame out just fine.

Steph'swriting has appeared in Proverbs 31 Ministry, P31 Woman magazine.  Inher free time she can be found encouraging numerous MOPS group in thenorthern Virginia area on the "Colorful Art of Friendship - AllowingGod to Paint the Masterpieces" and MOPS leaders on "Being a BrightLight".

Steph can be found blogging at www.encouragedinheart.org or on Facebook at Stephanie Fink or on her Facebook page Encouraged in Heart - Stephanie Fink.  She loves big hair, big cups of coffee and big bear hugs.

*(Previously published in November 2009 in P31 Woman magazine.)