Bells ringing, people shuffling, cabinets opening and closing. Nurses scurrying. Everywhere around us, people are busy. The hustle and bustle appears to be very productive.
My mum is scheduled for a day surgery. The doctor squeezed her in so there is no set appointment time. The length of the afternoon looms before us.
Waiting can be a very difficult thing to do. Waiting for something you do not want to do is even worse.
Killing time is an expression oft used to describe time lost into the void of unproductiveness and wasted potential.
As we settled into the first waiting room, we looked at one another, passed two or three sentences, rearranged some furniture and pulled out the cribbage board. Without hesitation, we proceeded to play the game that was one of the cornerstones of my childhood. When I was little, we spent hours playing crib.
With many hours of imposed waiting ahead of us, we had a choice. We could resign ourselves to a ‘forced’ inactivity or we could redeem the time and use it to help build our relationship. It may not seem like a game of cribbage could do much for a relationship but the comfort of a familiar activity can work wonders.
Knowing that my mum was stressed about her surgery, the thought of hours sitting and fretting was less than appealing. This simple card game afforded us a stress free activity. It also encouraged others around us who would cheer for one of us or humm over the other one’s kitty. Although there were no deep conversations, the safety of our relationship brought comfort to my mum and was a distraction for others, also waiting – perhaps just killing time.
Proverbs 30:24-26
“Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
coneys are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
There is always something to do – if you are willing.
Here I am, wholly available
As for me, I will serve the Lord
Here I am, wholly available
As for me, I will serve the Lord
The fields are white unto harvest
But O, the labourers are so few
So Lord, I give myself to help the reaping
To gather precious souls unto You
The time is right in the nation
For works of power and authority
God’s looking for a people who are willing
To be counted in His glorious victory
As salt are we ready to savour?
In darkness are we ready to be light?
God’s seeking out a very special people
To manifest His truth and His might
© 1981 Sovereign Lifestyle Music
