experienced the same neglect and abandonment
that you did as a child. You will love them and
encourage them. And then—then!—He will bring
you a friend, Melissa, who will become your wife,
and things you never dreamed could be yours
will be yours.
John, growing up, you experienced much
pain. Know that God has loved you all along and
has always had you in His heart and mind. You
have been predestined before the creation of the
world to be His child, for He knitted you together
in your mother’s womb.
One of God’s greatest blessings to John was the gift
of family. John and his wife, Melissa, are expecting
their first child in February.
Nothing in your life has ever been wasted. If
you had not experienced what you did as a child,
you would not love Him the way that you do now.
Everything happens in God’s great purpose for a
reason, even though you couldn’t see it at the
time.
Enjoy your life, John. Be grateful, love others,
and forgive. Never miss an opportunity to tell
others how God has changed your life. Make
Jesus’s name known throughout the nations by
glorifying Him in all you do. You will never regret
a life devoted to Him.
I have just one more thing to tell you. The
Steelers will win two Super Bowls during the
first 31 years of your life. They will also lose two.
They will be victorious against the Cardinals and
the Seahawks, and lose to the Cowboys and the
Packers. And, no, I won’t tell you the scores,
because I forgot to mention, at the age of 21, you
had a massive gambling problem. But that, too,
you have overcome!
Much love,
Your future self
LEARNING TO BE A PATIENT PATIENT
by Kenny Munds
I sat shivering in the emergency room
cubicle, waiting for the doctor to come and tell
me what was wrong with me. I don’t know why
they keep it so cold in the ER, but someone said
it was because germs don’t thrive in a colder
climate. Frankly, it wasn’t going to matter what
was wrong with me, I was going to freeze to
death before the doctor came anyway.
Finally, he arrived and told me I needed
minor surgery and he was moving me into a
hospital room. After I was settled in and trying to
get comfortable in that ridiculous hospital gown,
I found myself once again waiting for him to
come and tell me when the surgery would take
place. I was still harboring a poor attitude and
thawing out from my freezing ER experience…
and I was upset at the doctor for not giving me
more prompt attention.
PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL; ALL MY INMOST BEING,
PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME. PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL,
AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS—WHO FORGIVES
ALL YOUR SINS AND HEALS ALL YOUR DISEASES.
PSALM 103:1–3
A few days later, having had the surgery, I
went home. Friends of mine went out of their
way to see that I made it home safe and sound.
Well, I wasn’t so “sound,” because I was still in
pain. I tried to reach the doctor to complain
about my slow recovery. Unable to do so, I
sounded off to one of his nurses, who managed
to overlook my attitude and assure me my
recovery was right on schedule.
I was a miserable patient. I was miserable
because I was ungrateful and impatient. Instead
of thanking God that I was covered by insurance
and able to receive hospital care, period, I
behaved like a spoiled child. My resentment
toward the doctor who had treated me was a
reflection of that lack of gratitude.
Three weeks later, I sat waiting again in a
room at that doctor’s office for a follow-up
appointment. The nurse completed her routine
checks and told me that he would be in shortly.
To my surprise, he came in after only a minute
or so. We sat and talked for some time, and he
explained his busy schedule—one that included
several surgeries a day, many of those critical.
As he tried to console me, his manner and
demeanor were sincere and relaxing. Suddenly
I felt both peaceful and ashamed. I apologized
for my terrible attitude and thanked him for
being patient with his ungrateful patient. He
just smiled, saying that ungrateful patients are
common; he understood my impatience and
there was no need to worry about it.
I really like my doctor now.
Need I tell you that having a thankful heart
removes a lot of stress and anxiety, as well as
anger and resentment? It certainly does.
The Great Physician—Almighty God Himself—
has a lot of ungrateful patients in the world
today. I find if you just talk to Him though,
you’ll discover He’s a pretty good God with a
loving heart. He understands your sometimes
poor attitude and impatience. Take time to
remember just how blessed you are. God will
tend to your needs in His perfect time. After
all, you’re completely covered with eternal life
insurance!
DEAR YOUNGER ME | from page 14 _________
photography by Michelle Mormon kojministries.org Issue 4 2017 33
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