Patience is waiting with a smile. At least that is what I teach my grandchildren.
Surely, you have experienced the never-ending wait in a doctor’s office.
If patience is a virtue, then the waiting room at my doctor’s office is the Vatican of self-restraint. My journey began at 9:00 AM. I arrived early. I had preregistered. Still, I was given a clipboard with questions to answer. I took my seat and waited for the nurse to call my name.
Little did I know, I was about to enter a time vortex where clocks are merely decorative.
The receptionist, a cheerful gatekeeper, assured me the doctor would be with me shortly. I soon learned that “shortly” in medical-speak translates to “before the next leap year.”
Settling in, I skimmed through a stack of magazines so old that the hottest tech gadget was the flip phone and fashion tips included bell bottoms. The celebrity star was Elvis. I am pretty certain Elvis had already left the building.
Across from me, a toddler constructed a Lego fortress, while a retiree completed an entire crossword puzzle book. I exchanged sympathetic glances with fellow patient waiters or waiting patients, each of us silently agreeing never to book another early appointment or look at the other person again.
Every time the nurse opened the door and called a name, we all sat up straighter, hope flickering in our eyes, only to be crushed as someone else shuffled in.
The suspense was palpable. Was this a waiting room or an audition for “Survivor: Healthcare Edition”?
I rose to my feet to help an elderly woman get through the office door while carrying her super-sized carry-on purse, Stanley cup drink, cell phone, and oxygen tank. She was appreciative. She said it was very kind of an “elderly man” to be so courteous. Next time, this old man will not notice you, lady.
What followed her insensitive comment was not part of my medical exam package. After her detailed weather forecast, she continued to engage me in conversation about politics and grocery prices. We were wasting TIME while TIME stood still.
Lady, I do not want to talk. I helped you get through the door so I can see my doctor.
Eventually, after memorizing the pattern of ceiling tiles and considering a career as a Tik Tok social influencer, I was summoned, not to see the doctor, but to reaffirm my insurance company. I asked if I might be eligible for a mail-in rebate to help with the snack costs of my extended wait time.
TIME. That is an interesting word. It has no meaning in a doctor’s office.
TIME seemed to stretch on, morphing from minutes to light years, as my phone battery dwindled and my sense of life purpose slowly eroded. I began to believe I aged another year sitting under the fluorescent lights, contemplating the mysteries of the universe and the reason for plastic plants.
By the time I finally heard my name, I half-expected to receive a congratulatory certificate for surviving the marathon wait and to be handed a commemorative “I love my doctor” coffee mug.
I sat in the chilly exam room, shivering in my paper gown, desperately trying not to crinkle it too loudly every time I shifted. The wall clock ticked on, its hands moving slower than the DMV line. I was wrong. TIME had stopped.
My best friend is a doctor and the only time he made me wait was while he was putting for an eagle on the golf course. Glad he made it because we needed to hurry to my wedding!
Finally, Dr. Fairway strolled into the exam room sporting a golf cap and a golf tee tucked above his ear. I could not help but ask if he had been on the course that morning, but he just smiled mysteriously.
To my confusion, he started going over my lab results using the back of a golf scorecard, shaking his head and muttering that my cholesterol was ‘two-over par’ and the iron shots did not lower my numbers.
The Doctor stepped out of the room. I assumed he was just grabbing my chart. But after ten more minutes, I began to wonder if he was reading War and Peace in the supply closet.
“Ain’t It Funny How TIME Slips Away?” (Willie Nelson)
When twenty minutes passed, I was convinced he had gone home, changed into pajamas, and was binge-watching TV medical dramas for inspiration.
As the minutes slowly ticked by, the doctor returned accompanied by the nurse. They spoke in hushed tones about the complications. I overheard mention of higher handicap risks because of too many strokes and using his slice to cut corners.
The doctor remarked about so much water that he did not have enough balls to finish. He asked the nurse to pray for an extra driver and a miracle.
My anxiety about needing surgery grew.
After Dr. Fairway took a couple of practice swings with his stethoscope, he yelled. “Fore!” My fears intensified when he mentioned consulting another professional before the condition worsened.
He suspected it was a severe case of the Yips, a nerve disorder. Shaking his head in frustration, the doctor lamented about too many lip-outs. He stared at the nurse and declared he should have let the last one die in the hole!
That was the last straw! I could not wait any longer. This patient and his patience stormed out the door…until a sudden breeze reminded me my hospital gown was wide open.
Back to waiting with a smile.
The doctor felt I was surviving well. He thought my patience was running a little thin. He prescribed something for an attitude adjustment.
I asked him how long it would take to see results. He simply shrugged, saying, “Be patient. These things require TIME.”
TIME.
What is TIME? Does anyone really know what TIME it is? (title of a Chicago song).
TIME is both a scientific tool and a philosophical topic for understanding measurement in the sun’s movement, the seasons’ changes, and human aging.
One thing that unites all humans is our complicated relationship with TIME.
TIME is the only dimension that can both heal all wounds and give too many wrinkles. TIME plays tricks on all of us. Is it TIME already? Where did the TIME go?
Sometimes TIME stands still. On other occasions, TIME runs too fast or too slow. Things take TIME but never give back TIME lost. TIME always runs out except when it goes into overtime.
How does the weekend sprint by like it is training for the Olympics, while Monday mornings move more slowly than a snail doing yoga?
Scientists say TIME is constant, but I am convinced it is powered by caffeine during holidays and by molasses during meetings.
TIME might be a super-hero. It flies by hyper-fast in a heated rush when you are enjoying some celebratory occasion. Then it suddenly stops, frozen in its tracks, while you hope for a quick end to an unpleasant experience.
How does TIME drag its feet when you are waiting for something important—like a package delivery, or your turn at the DMV?
Why does five minutes in a dentist’s chair feel longer than the entirety of high school? Why is a pizza in the microwave for thirty seconds not the same as thirty seconds at a stoplight?
Then there is the phenomenon of TIME stopping altogether. This usually happens at the most inconvenient moments, like when you meet someone from your past but do not remember their name. TIME does not actually stop; it hovers, taunting you, refusing to budge until the awkwardness reaches critical mass.
But the greatest trick TIME pulls is making you think you have plenty of it—until you don’t. “I’ll do it later,” we say, only to discover that “later” sneaks up on us faster than socks disappear in the dryer.
In the end, TIME is the ultimate comedian: unpredictable, relentless. All we can do is laugh, cherish the fast moments, survive the slow ones, and try not to get stuck when time decides to freeze…like in a doctor’s office when the gown blows open!
1. Understand Time as a Precious Gift from God.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Our days are limited and precious. The #1 Textbook offers timeless wisdom about how we should view, use, and appreciate our Time in this life. By asking God to help us “number our days,” we acknowledge our mortality, our dependence, and our divine gift that has intention and purpose.
2. Recognize the Importance of the Present.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, the Bible urges us to embrace the present. Each day is an opportunity to experience gratitude and joy, recognizing it as a unique creation of God. Each moment is an opportunity to love God and love others in this Time Machine.
3. Enjoy the Seasons of Life.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Life is a series of seasons, each with its own challenges and blessings. What season of life are you in? Understanding God has planned this Time helps us accept change, experience spiritual growth through transitions, and trust that God has a purpose for every stage of our journey.
4. Make the Most of Every Opportunity.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
We are called to live wisely and not waste our time. This means being intentional in our actions, prioritizing what matters, and seeking to use our time for good, even when the world presents distractions or difficulties. It means finding joy in this time…right now.
5. Be Patient and Trust in God’s Timing.
“God has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
We want things to happen according to our schedule. The #1 Textbook teaches us to trust in God’s timing, believing that everything will unfold as it should, and that beauty and purpose can be found in waiting…waiting with a smile!
TIME. Appreciate each Moment.
Use your Time Wisely. Cherish the Good Times. Edit the Difficult Times.
Learn from the Teaching Times. Trust God’s Perfect Timing.
EYES UP…ALL THE TIME!
I LOVE YOU…MORE EACH TIME!
LOVE FIRST...LOVE MOST 