More Information Than I Needed
It was early to arrive at the Doctor’s Office. I had brought my mom up to see her doctor and we were both sitting quietly in the waiting room. I mean it was QUIET. There was no one else there at 9:00 AM.
Then things changed.
A man walked into the waiting room, looked around and then his eyes fell on me. Maybe it happened because I was the only other man sitting there…maybe the two older ladies that sat close to the desk were not looking like they would be a good listener, maybe it happened because I look like a good listener… I dunno…? It just happened.
Within seconds he leaned closer and whispered that he was in the office to get the doctor to help him with his “water works”. Already it was becoming hot in the waiting room…sheesh!
In the next few moments he related how he was in Florida up until Feb 26 at which time he came home – “water works” problems….darn! It cost him $1100 Bucks for 45 minutes in the Florida hospital for the “water works” problem and they never even fixed the problem!
Then the conversation rolled over to the houses he has built, north of Bowmanville, in Peterborough and now in a small town south of Peterborough. But now the “water works” were acting up and he may have to move again…. Whoa!
That all took place in the course of 7 minutes. Mom came out of her doctor’s office and I escaped the “water works” stuff.
Okay, okay… I know I should be ready as a pastor for just about anything…but… “water works” …sheesh!
What I wasn’t ready for was a very lonely man that needed to talk. In those few moments the 75 year old man poured out some pain and I listened until mom came for me.
When the waiting room is full of people all looking at some invisible place in the room…avoiding each other’s eye contact… there are many lonely people.
His name was “Ed”. “Ed” needs a friend. “Ed” needs help.
I am convinced that one person could turn the world upside down if they would only listen.
Pondering “Ed’s” “water works” problem….and listening….
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Then things changed.
A man walked into the waiting room, looked around and then his eyes fell on me. Maybe it happened because I was the only other man sitting there…maybe the two older ladies that sat close to the desk were not looking like they would be a good listener, maybe it happened because I look like a good listener… I dunno…? It just happened.
Within seconds he leaned closer and whispered that he was in the office to get the doctor to help him with his “water works”. Already it was becoming hot in the waiting room…sheesh!
In the next few moments he related how he was in Florida up until Feb 26 at which time he came home – “water works” problems….darn! It cost him $1100 Bucks for 45 minutes in the Florida hospital for the “water works” problem and they never even fixed the problem!
Then the conversation rolled over to the houses he has built, north of Bowmanville, in Peterborough and now in a small town south of Peterborough. But now the “water works” were acting up and he may have to move again…. Whoa!
That all took place in the course of 7 minutes. Mom came out of her doctor’s office and I escaped the “water works” stuff.
Okay, okay… I know I should be ready as a pastor for just about anything…but… “water works” …sheesh!
What I wasn’t ready for was a very lonely man that needed to talk. In those few moments the 75 year old man poured out some pain and I listened until mom came for me.
When the waiting room is full of people all looking at some invisible place in the room…avoiding each other’s eye contact… there are many lonely people.
His name was “Ed”. “Ed” needs a friend. “Ed” needs help.
I am convinced that one person could turn the world upside down if they would only listen.
Pondering “Ed’s” “water works” problem….and listening….
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Friday, April 04, 2008
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