Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!
With Kay’s Kamp coming up in a little over a week Lord, and just having gone through Jonathan’s yearly Oncology exams and scans, my head and heart have been drifting back to some very turbulent and fearful times for our little family. Being helplessly thrown into that uncertain world of doctors, chemotherapy, steroids, surgeries and rescue protocols took Shannon and I to an entirely new place in our marriage, and tested our commitment and resolve to each other by fire each day. It was a harrowing time in our lives, and one that has shaped our family this last ten years to a great extent.
I didn’t know You then Lord… I mean, I knew OF You, but I certainly wasn’t walking with You at the time. What I did know is that I was angry as Hell at You for doing this to us; for torturing my son that way, and for making us live in fear and pain. I blamed You for all of it Father, every little bit. And somewhere in the midst of all of that turmoil, I hit rock bottom…
And You were there to pick me up.
I’ll be honest Father, I didn’t realize it was You at the time. I do know however, that somewhere in that dark, terrifying place I began to see things through different eyes. It wasn’t that Jonathan was improving drastically, but instead of focusing on the despair I’d been feeling while walking down those long, bleached hallways at A.I. Dupont, I started noticing signs of kindness, and love, and hope that somehow I’d missed before. It was a turning point… no, a starting point in my life, and one I’m still thankful for today.
So therefore Father, today I’d like to thank You. Thank you for new beginnings… for faithfulness to a broken, scared child… for Your healing light inside Jonathan… and for ten years of normality.
Yes Lord, we still have trials in our lives, and pain, and uncertainty. But now we also have the knowledge and comfort that You’re with us on this journey; guiding us, nurturing us, and picking us up when we stumble on the Path. You see, I’ve realized that “normal” doesn’t mean that life moves along smoothly, it means that we understand and Accept that life is a journey of Your Design, and embrace it as the amazing Gift it is.
Normality rocks.
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
I can not begin to image how people go through the trials of life without God. Praise God He is always there.
I did it Jenifer… for far too many years. On the positive side of that, when I finally did come to Christ it was an amazingly powerful epiphany partially because I’d been on the other side of existence. I thank Him daily for His Presence in my life, and for being there even when I was blind to it.
Have a Blessed Day!
Following Jesus certainly doesn’t guarantee smooth roads ahead, but it does bring peace in knowing that He is in control. Every day is a gift from God and we should use it to bring Him glory.
Absolutely Lisa! Remembering to praise Him through good times as well as rough ones is so important…
Have a Blessed Day!
An amaze trip, Some of us can never grasp the thought of being carried through the rough patches. Your family is a treasure, he knows this, you show us daily where he has blessed the world.
Thank you so much for the kind words Dy. We feel His Blessings every day, and are truly thankful.
Have a Blessed Day!
‘Normaility’ means different things for each of us…you’ve been blessed with 10 years of ‘normal’ and us with 4!
Praising Him for your 4 years as well Allison!! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!!
‘“normal” doesn’t mean that life moves along smoothly, it means that we understand and Accept that life is a journey of Your Design, and embrace it as the amazing Gift it is.’
Amen and Amen!
🙂 Thank you Alida!
Have a Blessed Day!
What a great, meaningful definition. And I repeat your prayer for thankfulness for new beginnings. Great post, Phil
In Christ we all have the opportunity for new beginnings in our lives Jean, and I’ve been Blessed to have several. Thank you!!
Have a Blessed Day!
Beautiful post Phil… your heart was all over it. I love how the Lord gets our attention and reveals himself to us at just the right time. Praising Him for that starting point in your life and for Jonathan… what a work He has done and will do in him! Blessings!
Thank you so much Heidi!! You’re right… This one was part of me. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!