April 11 Devotion

The Waiting Room

I keep picturing Peter in a waiting room, sitting in one of those straight back chairs covered in aqua -colored upholstery. His head is down, his eyes are closed, and his hands clench his hair. He can't stand; that would draw attention. He is too ashamed of himself for that. He can't pace; it won't get him anywhere. He will still be back there. It will still be yesterday. Yesterday he became a man who denied knowing his best friend. Yesterday he let a man he considered a leader be lead to his death. Yesterday all understanding died with Jesus. Like the woman to the left of him battling the stomach flu, this is not where Peter planned to be tonight. But unlike the woman, he is not sick and he is not hurt. Peter is worried. Like everyone else intermingled among the coffee tables and magazines, he wonders, "What now?"

Before 20/20 hindsight sets in and we know the effect of our choices, we all spend time in the waiting room chair. This is why I am so thankful that I am spared Peter's agony. I know what happened Sunday. Death died. A new element was thrown into the waiting room. Now, among the crying children and the coffee drinkers, there is hope.

Betsy Warren