Since September I’ve been going to get my allergy shots.
Two, one for each arm, which tells you how many things I’m allergic to!
When our new insurance began, I started coming twice a week.
Every Monday and Wednesday morning to get my shots.
I’ve learned many things about the allergist’s office.
For example, it’s the only place I know of that most people come in quietly and just sit down.
At first this puzzled me.
Doesn’t the receptionist need to check you in?
I quickly learned that she knows the regular people by sight and while she smiles acknowledgement of the person she doesn’t normally need to chat if they are just getting shots.
People come in, sit down, read or get on their phone and wait for their turn.
It’s very quiet.
Unless you sneeze!
Each of us, who are taking shots, have to be watched for thirty minutes afterwards.
It’s a safe guard to make sure we don’t have any major reactions.
The only time every person looked up in the entire room, both the shot nurse and the appointment nurse came out and the receptionist stood was when a gentleman sneezed.
Poor guy, he looked a bit self conscious.
And no wonder!
Normally, people don’t look at one another, or talk, or even acknowledge the other person.
At first I found this a little uncomfortable.
It only took a few weeks for me to realize, most of the time, I don’t see the same people.
So, if the room is full of strangers it makes sense they are reserved.
After all these weeks, I have been able to pick up a friendly recognition from another lady.
I don’t know her name, but we smile and sometimes ask polite questions.
Monday she mentioned Jase’s absence.
“Actually, he’s in the car with his sister. He said it’s hard to work on school work in here.”
She smiled and nodded.
There’s a lot to be learned in the allergist’s office.
Allergies are not picking.
Old, young, middle aged, and children all suffer.
Every part of society is vulnerable.
And although I’m looking forward to not driving into the allergist twice a week, I’m thankful for the opportunity to receive my shots.
I’m also very thankful for the lessons.
It was only a few weeks in when I realized I have a wonderful opportunity every time I’m sitting there.
I can pray for each and every person.
I can be kind and loving to both the nurses and the receptionist.
(Not every person who walks into the allergist office wants to be there. Anyone who has worked with the public knows it can be less than nice.)
I can be friendly and thoughtful.
At times the waiting room gets really full and I was blessed to give up my seat for a mother and her two kids to sit next to each other.
I was equally blessed when someone else did the same thing for me when both my kids wanted to join me.
Life is such a gift and there are incredible opportunities just waiting for me to hear the Lord’s voice say, Pray for him. Or Smile at her.
I praise God for all these Wednesdays, and the lessons at the allergist.
“Lord, please continue to help me to redeem the time You have given me, no matter where I am.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV — See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
All I could think as I watched my calendar getting closer to my appointment was:
“I don’t want to!”
Silly, I know.
I’m an adult.
Yet, I really really do not like going to the doctor’s.
The crazy thing is not that many years ago the exact same doctor saved my life by performing surgery on me.
However, all I could seem to do when faced with an upcoming visit was whine to the Lord about how much I didn’t want to go.
I have felt like a
giant,
sniveling,
spoiled…you get the idea.
Crazy.
All my attitudes and complaining and dragging my feet were pointless.
I had a great visit.
My doctor has always been great.
This was no exception.
I left with a smile and skipped down the stairs.
About the time I got to the car I realized I had worried and agitated myself for no reason,
NONE,
whatever.
Well, as I’m always saying to the kids:
“If it’s a mistake you learn from,
it’s a mistake worth making.”
Prayerfully I won’t allow my attitude to degrade the next time I have a visit on the calendar.
Better yet.
Prayerfully I won’t allow fear and worry to creep into my mind when expecting an event, no matter what it is.
“Dear Jesus,
Thank You for my doctor, his staff, and all the people in the medical field who work to keep others healthy. Thank You for all the wonderful ways You created these bodies and all the amazing things they can do. Please forgive me for my sour attitude. Please help me to learn from today’s experience. Please be patient with this stubborn stiff-necked child who has the arrogance to tell You what I do and do not want. Please give me a humble heart, one full of trust.”
patientlyhopeful 