To be honest, most of us probably dislike hospitals, not because they are ugly buildings and not because we dislike those who are called to work there.
No, most probably, we dislike hospitals due to the WAIT, the turmoil, the hand wringing, the stress, and the worry that occurs while we are marking time….WAITING….within the hospital WAITING ROOM.
Maybe we can agree upon this one fact.
Consider for a moment why we feel compelled to go into this specific room and what we are compelled to do while there….WAITING.
See the WAITING ROOM within our mind; see how the decor of these rooms looks so similar, despite what city, state, region, nation, or country where we find ourselves….WAITING.  
These rooms are filled with items necessary….for our WAITING….Items like chairs, specifically positioned—
Some facing other chairs,
Some facing outward toward the entry door, &
Some facing the television attached in the corner wall, hanging precariously close to the ceiling, high above all, even the tallest person WAITING there within the hospital waiting room. 
We can offer comfort to one another…..there, in the WAITING  ROOM…..as we sit close, maybe holding hands, maybe staring at the white-speckled floor or the entry door, maybe praying, yes, talking to God about the one who causes us to come to this WAITING  ROOM and also lifting up the names of the ones who WAIT there, who pass time, so terrified by the results that may come from this long wait.  It is there, we can encourage one another with these—-God’s Word—-given to us through His prophet Moses.
“The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed”  (Deuteronomy 31: 8).

As we remain inside this WAITING ROOM, counting away the hours, watching the wall clock’s hands barely creep forward, marking time, we see the coffee pot positioned upon the corner, gray countertop.  Maybe we prepare the next pot of coffee for something to do, for a task to busy our hands while we pass time.  Maybe we see the remains of others, those who were there before us….in the WAITING ROOM….those who left behind useful items from their previous WAIT.  We see chip bags, coffee creamers and packets of sugar, plastic spoons, odds and ends, forgotten items once our WAITING is complete.  It is there we can encourage one another with these—–God’s Word—–given to us through His apostle James.
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the LORD.   The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the LORD is near”  (James 5: 7-8).

Maybe like me, you sat within many hospital….WAITING ROOMS….during times of great joy when babies have been birthed, or when surgeries ended in success, or when Hospice workers brought us heavy words coupled with heavy decisions to make.
It is there, while we see truth revealed, where our hearts cry and where our eyes leak tears,…there we see the same wall prints, hanging exactly where they have hung for hours now, never moving, forever staying, positioned there to offer those WAITING for tranquility and calm.  It is there where we can encourage one another with these—-God’s Word—-given to us through His shepherd David.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You [God] are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”  (Psalm 23:  4).

God opens life doors, opportunities, and He brings us people who come into our lives, those who come to comfort us and those sent to us to bring comfort to.
Our only task is to remain obedient….in our WAIT….to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit.
God created us for companionship, and oftentimes, it is within the WAITING ROOMS & WAITING SEASONS of life where we share God’s love best.
Earlier on this day when I struggled to sleep, I read these words:
“Love is the autograph of the believer…that God’s presence and truth in our lives makes us different people…[as God] fashions us as channels of blessing…to love other people” (Open Windows).
Today, may we remain encouraged, faithfully obedient to our Father as we follow the leading of His Spirit, and do the acts of compassion and love found only through His Son, Jesus.
Yes, may we continually be doing what we are called to do….as we WAIT….within these WAITING SEASONS of life….ever thankful to God for….

ALL THAT HE HAS DONE FOR US,….
EVEN RIGHT NOW, AS WE CALL OUT TO HIM…ALWAYS LOOKING TO HIM….
DURING THIS SEASON….
OF OUR WAIT.