What do you do while waiting in line?

Have you digested yesterday's statistic that you might spend three years of your life while waiting in line?

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend a music conference with my daughter and her chorus group from school. The last day of the conference, we were treated to an outstanding concert in which my daughter was a part of a 300-voice choir.

Prior to the concert, parents and other guests waited in line, to be assured of a seat for the concert. The wait would be 1 ½ hours, and I came prepared with my book to help me pass the time.

As I entered the line, I said “Hello” to the lady waiting in front of me. She returned my “Hello” and casually asked me, “What are we waiting in line for if the concert doesn’t start for another 1 ½ hours?” I smiled back and shared with her that the ballroom was rather small and the seats were limited. She was shocked and expressed that she just couldn’t stand in line for the 1 ½ hours.

I really wanted to read my book, and, in fact, I had already sat on the floor, ready to endure the wait while reading. I attempted to gracefully pull myself up off of the floor, and I told her that she would not want to miss the concert. I gently touched her arm and said that she would not be disappointed, and it was worth the wait.

“But, that’s a long wait.” Within a matter of few seconds, I had a decision to make—engage in negative conversation and complain along with her, or re-direct the conversation and encourage this mom.

Somehow, the conversation turned, and we were chatting away—talking about everything, from comparing stories about our teenage daughters to Bill Cosby. Yes, Bill Cosby—she said, “Did you know that he lost a son many years ago?” To which I replied, “No parent should ever have to bury their child.”

As I looked at this lovely woman, I noticed tears welling up in her eyes. The conversation turned again, and she shared some very heartbreaking events that had occurred just that week in her family.

Needless to say, the 1 ½ hour wait seemed to fly by. The ballroom doors were opened, and our time together was almost over. As we were walking into the ballroom, she turned and looked at me and said, “God put you in this line for a reason, and it was for me. My heart was so heavy this morning, and I prayed to God for help and encouragement. He sent you to me.”

We shared a few hugs, and, later, we said our good-byes. She may have thought that God put me in that line for her, but, it was the other way around—God put her in that line for me.

What do you do when you’re waiting in line? Are you a negative contributor or a positive provider of encouragement?

Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”