Cell phones in the waiting room

[John Arnold]

It was time for my yearly physical and my appointment was for 8:15 AM. Signed in at 8 and settled in the waiting room. Looking around I saw many preoccupied people playing with their cell phones. Counting the people, all eleven were busy in their own world. Just then two more people came in the door, each one carrying their cell phone. Soon they settled in with the rest of us; now there were 13. It was so quiet.

The nurse called my name and weighed me in and reality started to set in. Took my blood pressure, I always ask, “What is it?” This morning’s blood pressure was so low I couldn’t believe it. After the weight of the weigh in, the low blood pressure report made me feel better. The nurse asked all the normal questions, medications, etc, and said the doctor would be in. You guessed it, back on the cell phone. They don't need magazines in these little rooms anymore.

The Doctor  came in and we had the best time. He said, “You look good,” but i’d only had one cup of black coffee. We got into a conversation about classic cars and I started telling him the purpose I do the classic car thing. Lots of gospel tracts and Gospels of John in the trunk and a prayer each time, “Lord use me.” It just so happened that the last cruise, which was two days previous, was one of the most fruitful I’d had. As the day wore on I was looking in every nook and cranny for more Gospel tracts, “How to have Peace with God.” I even bought some Spanish tracts that I hoped I could use.  Deciding to pass out the Spanish tracts which I couldn't read, I approached a couple and asked them if they could read the front page. She did and then I asked for her to do it in English. “This is for you” They accepted. I tried that again and the person couldn't read the tract. She said I should read Arabic. I gave her an English copy and went on. There were about four hours of conversation and tract distribution. It was so great.

I always ask as I hand a person a tract, “Have you ever seen one of these before?” The answer is always, “No.” I say, “The Bible is a hard book to understand.” “Oh yeah,” is always the answer. I then say, “The person who put this article together chose some of the key verses in the Bible about how we could have a good connection with God on a personal basis. This is not about church; it is about our connection with God. I distribute these, and I think you will get a lot out of it.” There are so many thank you’s.

The Doctor and I talked about church; I told him where I went in Rockwall and he said his son went to that church. We discussed walking for exercise. Told him JoAnn and I walk in the neighborhood and I go to the Y.  He said he is a neighbor of ours so next day I got a Gospel of John Life Application and a coy of Steps to Peace With God and jotted him a short note thanking him for the conversation and asking him if he would like to go walking…and gave my cellphone number.

The Doctor said drink lots of water and exercise. He inspired me to keep doing my routine. 

Got a good report and came home for more coffee to celebrate….and to charge my cell phone.

John