But this is not just learning to 'possess ourselves in patience' while waiting for our turn in some queue. I learned that skill in the dinner queue at primary school, standing in line, only allowed to talk with the people in front or behind, shuffling forward one pace at a time.
I heard that back in 'the old days', in grand houses, footmen were stationed in the corridors outside the main rooms, so that the family need only open the door to summon a servant.
In some of the smartest restaurants I have ever been to, there are waiters standing around the room apparently doing nothing, but in fact ready to respond to the slightest gesture from one of the diners to fetch some water, another bottle of wine, replace a dropped fork (how embarrassing).
This kind of waiting, as in Psalm 123 v2
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. KJV
is about being still, but alert, attentive, ready to see or hear, and respond.
Definitely a learned skill.
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| Footman sleeping Charles Brague 1871 https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435603 |
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