{"id":824,"date":"2013-09-07T22:32:49","date_gmt":"2013-09-07T22:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=824"},"modified":"2013-09-05T22:44:56","modified_gmt":"2013-09-05T22:44:56","slug":"the-value-of-being-put-on-hold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2013\/09\/the-value-of-being-put-on-hold.html","title":{"rendered":"The Value of Being Put on Hold"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pic<\/a>If we took all of the minutes and hours that we’ve spent on hold, waiting to talk to someone on the telephone, waiting for test results, waiting for appointments in the doctor’s office…and we received even $.25 per minute, imagine how rich we’d be! \u00a0Add in the amount of time we’re undoubtedly going to use up correcting electronic records or website information (passwords, etc.), and, well, our resources would be even richer.<\/p>\n

Alas, we don’t get paid to wait. But the time we spend proverbially twiddling our thumbs can be rich, nonetheless, or, at least we might find it to be if we approach it with something other than utter dislike.<\/p>\n

While I wait, I pray. I organize my thoughts and notes. I read. I work crossword puzzles. I try to learn more patience, understanding that some waits are inevitable. And I truly try to take to heart the notion that, although when we’re on hold, we think that the moment of connection and finally getting information or speaking with someone is the big point, the goal, the minutes and hours of waiting are present for us, too, and valid, valuable parts of our lives.<\/p>\n

Years ago, a friend, now deceased, gave me a book called, “When God Has Put You on Hold.” I’d never considered those moments of waiting for God’s answer or response to be similar to other forms of being on hold, but in a way, they are. And, the more we continue on, act and live, and work hard to be reflective of Him, the more valuable those moments will be, too.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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