Waiting at the Bethesda Pool
I normally feel pretty drained when I get home on Sunday afternoon, but this last Mother’s Day it was more severe. Monday confirmed my body was fighting some kind of bug and the next three days were miserable: fever, headache, congestion, a relentless cough and zero energy. I didn’t even want to watch a movie! For me, that’s a sure sign I’m in bad shape. I just laid on the couch with a wet washrag over my burning eyes and prayed for relief.
On Thursday, I finally went to Urgent Care. I honestly did not want to go. I had no energy and no hope it would do any good. But I also did not want to be rebuked by everyone. “What, your symptoms were that bad and you didn’t go to the doctor? You silly fool!” So, I shuffled out to the truck and went.
Urgent Care. The needs at least were urgent. I arrived at 3:45pm and the kind lady at the counter said the wait time would be 1-2 hours. There were more than a few folks in the small waiting room so I chose a seat in the outer area where I hoped to cough into my mask a safe distance from others.
Waiting. It can be challenging at any time, but especially when you feel awful. I decided I would do my best to wait patiently, and the first bit was not difficult. The atmosphere was quiet for the most part, with the constant sound of gentle splashing from the large water feature not far away. But the difficulty increased over the next two hours.
- The elderly man struggling mightily to get out of his chair when his name was called and painfully walk the short distance to the waiting nurse. Heart wrenching.
- The poor young woman across the way holding a small bucket in her lap as she anguished through relentless dry heaves. A young man stood by looking distraught and helpless.
- Apparently healthy people walking by briskly, giving us sick people as wide a berth as possible. I couldn’t blame them.
- Others were being called in, despite checking in well after I had. My initial heart reaction was not pretty.
- The mother of three small kids trying to check in, with two ignoring her and running off. “Don’t do this to me,” she lamented, “I have no help!”
- Waiting over an hour and a half now, and no one has been called in in the last 20 minutes. What are they doing back there? How long do I have to wait?
- “Toby?” I marvel how wonderful it is to hear the nurse call my name.
The viral bronchitis I was diagnosed with kept me down for two weeks, and I testify that it was good that I was afflicted, that I might learn from God (Psalm 119:71). I learned I have often sinned by taking pride in my good health, which is a gift from God. I learned I have suffered very little compared to many who have struggled with illness for years. (John 5:1ff) I learned we only rise from our sick bed when the Healer calls our name and bids our health return. And I learned to long for the day when there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)
Pastor Toby
Categories: Evergreen Connection