If we took all of the minutes and hours that we’ve spent on hold, waiting to talk to someone on the telephone, waiting for test results, waiting for appointments in the doctor’s office…and we received even $.25 per minute, imagine how rich we’d be!  Add in the amount of time we’re undoubtedly going to use up correcting electronic records or website information (passwords, etc.), and, well, our resources would be even richer.

Alas, we don’t get paid to wait. But the time we spend proverbially twiddling our thumbs can be rich, nonetheless, or, at least we might find it to be if we approach it with something other than utter dislike.

While I wait, I pray. I organize my thoughts and notes. I read. I work crossword puzzles. I try to learn more patience, understanding that some waits are inevitable. And I truly try to take to heart the notion that, although when we’re on hold, we think that the moment of connection and finally getting information or speaking with someone is the big point, the goal, the minutes and hours of waiting are present for us, too, and valid, valuable parts of our lives.

Years ago, a friend, now deceased, gave me a book called, “When God Has Put You on Hold.” I’d never considered those moments of waiting for God’s answer or response to be similar to other forms of being on hold, but in a way, they are. And, the more we continue on, act and live, and work hard to be reflective of Him, the more valuable those moments will be, too.

Blessings for the day,

Maureen