February 20, 2024
As I celebrate my 81st birthday anniversary, I look back on my past days. When I pause and consider all that I have experienced I am compelled to acknowledge the countless blessings from God.
This past Sunday I sat in church and reflected on the beginning of these 81 years. I went back beyond the moment of birth and had to add the “+” sign when I realized something I had not previously considered. This scripture highlights my thoughts.
Jeremiah 1:5 New King James Version
5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you;
Before you were born, I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
And as I considered that God “knew me” before my birth, He blessed me by dealing with the cancer that was growing in my yet to be delivered body. He saw that cancer and chose to meticulously encase it in an impermeable sack to ensure it wouldn’t spread throughout my yet to be born body. On May 16th , just shy of three months after my birth, the doctor came to our house and removed the tumor form my back just to the left of the spine. The surgery left a hole in my back about one inch in diameter and one and a quarter inch deep. The mass was neatly encased, so no cancer escaped. However, technology was vintage 1943, so as an insurance, I received a number radiation treatments with radium. Slowly, the hole filled with scar tissue leaving a large circular scar.
The realization the this was just the beginning of God’s blessings for me causes profound gratitude to fill my mind, heart, and soul. There is a hymn that counsels us to “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and don’t forget what God has done!”
When we take the time to NAME our blessings, just as I have done with this “pre-birth” blessing, we feel compelled to dig very deep, well below the surface to truly realize the magnitude of what God has done. The ensuing sense of gratitude creates a joyful appreciation for authentic love that God so graciously showers on us every moment of our lives.
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Turning Point
This experience created a turning point for me to focus more deeply on the blessings that God places in my life. I know that there are so many that escape my perception, but just knowing that they are there makes me appreciate even what is yet to been seen.
My light-bulb moment last Sunday, occured while Daniel was serving. Based on what the DSG and Apostle Kline said, concerning how Paul thanked our Heavenly Father for keeping the cong. in faith…. Daniel was talking about this being the first time serving at the altar, back in LAC/LA Dist. in 20 years and all who were sitting in the cong. that determined his life and growth. What hit me at that moment was: asking Bart if I could take 4 yr old Daniel to get ice cream, after a day’s work at the Bishop’s house getting ready for their move to LA. Then I flashed back on what Lonnie has said in the last two Sealings he had done that I got to witness… How he said: If it were not for his mother.. he’d be long gone… It hit me: young 14 year old Lonnie-I could readily believe that… Then the realization came to me: I was their Deacon at that time (circa 1984) and why Buzz (Kurzon) and I did those things we did, back them, with Daniel, Lonnie, Lonnie’s little brother Andy and Lonnie’s brother-in-law Kevin (Smith)…. We wanted them to find the joy in serving… and then the “other shoe dropped”. Daniel is our rector/Dist. Rector and Lonnie is our Apostle AND the Holy Spirit-using them now- served me this A.M. Not so much: mission accomplished- what I attempted to do produced fruit… No, That longing to share the joy of serving is now serving me. It’s the same Holy Spirit all along- The triune God is with me/us and how awesome he is… As you said: realizing what GOD has Done, is doing and will do…
Wow and you have survived your initial cancer for 81 years, what a blessing!
Allan, as I read your account of how God had already begun blessing you and your family even before your birth… I felt a sensation in my being, almost like a knot that wanted to form in my stomach. The thought occurred to me “what if you had not been blessed with such a miracle in the early forming of your body.” All of those who know you understand how you have touched an enormous number of souls with your love and caring, your desire as a servant of God to share his words with others. The untold number that you and your dear wife, Carol have opened up your home to over the years. Sharing life together with you and having the privilege of hearing a number of your experiences of life, in person, certainly helped shaped my life and understanding of God. I was so blessed to meet you and Carol when I was 14-years-old and on a youth trip to San Diego (having recently joined the church.) Meeting you and Carol and your young son Randy at that time. I had no idea it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship, fellowship. I have learned so much from you and Carol throughout my life and was so excited to introduce my future husband, Jeff to you. We have been great beneficiaries of your love and prayers and lessons of faith over these many years. We are truly grateful to you both!!!! With love, Karen & Jeff
Karen, your words echo in my heart and soul, for all you feel about our relationship reverberates in us. God makes no mistake when bringing souls like us together.