Tonight Father, my prayers of thanks are directed towards Children’s Tylenol.
Earlier today, I received a call from the school nurse that Jonathan was in her office. She explained that he’d come in a little while ago with tears in his eyes, complaining that his head was really hurting him and that when she’d checked he was indeed running a low-grade fever. She promptly called me, and while I drove over to the school to retrieve him she gave him some Children’s Tylenol to try to knock down the fever and the associated headache. By the time I got there, he was still not a happy camper but he said his headache seemed a little better.
I had a series of booked appointments already scheduled, so we headed back to my office and he quickly laid down on my couch and fell fast asleep. The fever appeared to have subsided at that point, and he was able to get some much needed rest.
By the time we got home this evening, the fever had returned with a vengeance.
We got some liquids and food into him, along with some more fever-reducing medication and once again his temperature eased back and he was able to relax a bit. By the time he headed to bed, he was holding close to normal once again.
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.” – Psalm 41:3 (NIV)
Thankfully, Shannon was able to take tomorrow off from work so she can get him over to the doctor to be checked out. From the symptoms, it seems to be a nasty sinus infection, so with Your Healing and some antibiotics I suspect he’ll feel much better in a couple days’ time.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Blessings that modern medicines afford us. When our little ones are hurting, there’s truly nothing more miraculous than some respite to their pain. I pray that You will please grant Jonathan some relief from the discomforts of this illness, and that You hold him closely in Your Embrace while he recuperates. Amen.
Wow Father, what a long and tiring day this was. I started the day at a client’s site at 7:45 this morning, and finally drove into my driveway at 8:45 tonight. I’m wiped.
Heading home this evening, I was driving along some back roads while Andrew Peterson’s “Counting Stars” CD massaged my mental temperament following the day’s toils. It was a dark and clear evening, and the stars seemed especially bright away from the street lights and incursions of blatant civilization. My mind drifted a bit, and I found myself pondering how much I actually enjoy driving at night; soaking in the Stillness and clarity of the draped surroundings.
And then track 9 started up…
It always fascinates me Father, how You manage to guide my thoughts and link them up with external reinforcements to get my attention. In this case, it came in the form of a song on the CD called “In the Night My Hope Lives On”. From my own thoughts of how in the Stillness of night I find comfort in Your Presence, this ballad reached in and awoke my spirit. What an amazingly powerful song this is Lord:
The lyrics are truly wonderful Father… such a potent description of the Hope we find in Your Love for us.
“I can see the crowd of men retreating
As he stands between the woman and their stones
And if mercy in his holy heart is beating
Then in the night my hope lives on
I remember how they scorned the son of Mary
He was gentle as a lamb, gentle as a lamb
He was beaten, he was crucified, and buried
And in the night, my hope was gone
But the rulers of the earth could not control Him
They did not take his life–he laid it down
All the chains of death could never hope to hold him
So in the night my hope lives on”
What a perfect way to end my day Lord; focusing on the Hope You so freely gifted us with. And in the night, my hope lives on.
Following the conversation we had last night Lord, I’ve been thinking about the lessons I’ve learned over the period Shannon and I have been married. We’ve had a staggering range of high and low points throughout our time as man and wife, and it dawned on me that on both sides of the spectrum we’ve learned valuable lessons about ourselves, and our bond with each other. Therefore Father, if You’ll indulge me I’d like to share some of those teachings we’ve acquired over the years:
Everything you do while married is a “Team Sport”, whether there’s obvious direct involvement by your spouse or not. Marriage is a partnership, so no matter what you do while a member of that union the other person is in some way involved or affected; Always take them into account when making decisions, period.
Keeping secrets from your spouse is a bad idea, and will eventually lead to trust issues. This is a big one, and actually goes back to my first point. Hiding things in your marriage not only erodes the foundation of trust that’s necessary to get through difficult times, but builds resentment over time as things come to the surface.
Never miss the opportunity to show your partner how much you care. Little things go a long way, whether it’s a text message in the middle of the day to let them know you’re thinking of them, or showing up at their office with flowers for no special reason; it’s the “out of the box” displays of affection that linger in their memory.
Intimacy is important. While this may seem obvious, it gets very easy in the course of the hectic lives we all seem to lead to put “quiet time” with our spouse on the backburner. One of the best ways to stay connected with each other emotionally is to make time on a very regular basis to spend reveling in each other’s presence.
It’s all about balance. In every relationship there are periods where the burdens fall much heavier on one partner than the other. Instead of dwelling on the added load we’re put under and being resentful, we need to place our strength behind the union as a whole and support our spouse with all we have.
Count your Blessings together regularly. There are days where the stress, anxieties and fears in our lives just seem to be completely overwhelming. Focusing on the amazing Blessings You’ve bestowed on us all, and most especially on the wondrous gift of our Ordained Union as man and wife helps to put all those other trials in proper perspective.
Pray for each other, and glorify God by being the best husband/wife you can be. Marriage is something You designed and blessed us with Father, and by making that partnership one of our highest priorities we in effect praise Your Gifts while emboldening our union at the same time.
And I’m still learning Lord, blissfully day by day. 🙂
Thank You so much for leading and guiding us along this journey Father. You’ve provided strength when we were fatigued, comfort when we faced despair and throughout it all You’ve kept us in Your Loving Embrace… together. Now that’s a truly wondrous union. Amen.
And we come again Father, to another “Thankful Thursday” post at PhatherPhil.org. This is turning out to be one of my favorite weekly posts to write, but it’s usually difficult to pick just one thing to focus my thanks and praise on. Well Father, today wasn’t so hard, in fact it was staring me in my spiritual face. Today Father (and really every day), I’m most thankful for Your Faithfulness to me.
The last couple of years have seen drastic changes in my life, and in the lives of my family. We’ve had amazing highs, and desperate lows and yet through all of it… You were there:
When Shannon was injured and unable to move without pain… You emboldened and supported us, and sent her Your Healing Touch.
When my best friend passed away from cancer last year… You held me in Your Comforting Embrace and reminded me that he lived on in Your Kingdom.
Through all the economic turmoil and business nightmares of the last year… You encouraged me, and helped me to refocus on what was truly important in my life.
When Jonathan became part of the Kay’s Kamp Program and we watched his heart shine Your Light to so many others… You cried for joy along with us and cheered at each of his accomplishments.
When Shannon finally found a job that was the right fit, where she was welcomed and encouraged… You stood proudly beside her.
When I was Blessed to have the opportunity to join two friends in marriage last year… You filled the room with Your Presence, and Your Light was felt by everyone in attendance.
And the list could go on, and on, and on… 🙂
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, I thank You from the bottom of my heart for Your Faithfulness to Your Children. We are undeserving of such Grace, and yet You lift us up in Your Loving Hands and make us more than we could ever hope to be. Amen.
Today Lord, I’d like to start out with a quick prayer of support for my wife Shannon. Between being ill for the past week, a busy work schedule, college classes and symphony she’s been burning the candle at both ends, and has been feeling the results the last couple days. Please bring her Your Loving Comfort and grant her the rest she so dearly needs.
This morning Father I decided to get Jonathan and Aidan involved in our conversation. Therefore, on the way to school I asked them both if they had anything to tell You or ask of You. The responses I got were not exactly what I expected, but I felt good ones all the same:
Aidan (8) : “Is watching over everyone all the time hard?”
I don’t think Aidan realizes what a significant and deep question this is Father. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that while we don’t have a definitive answer that fits in our limited understanding, there are some scriptural passages which shine some light on this question.
First off, we refer to You as “Almighty God”, which implies the omnipotence of Your Power and that You are “All-ruling” (from the Greek word pantokrator used in the early Bible translations) over what You have created. Jesus summed it up quite clearly in Matthew 19:26:
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” (NIV)
You created us all, and have reign over all You have created; Your Word states this over and over quite distinctly. This tells me You have the power to watch over us all without question.
The other piece of this answer in my mind, would be the omnipresence of Your Spirit. Again, referencing scriptures for this I found Psalm 139:7-12:
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.” (NIV)
Through Your Spirit, You reach out and have complete access to the whole of Your Creation. Ok, so you have the Power, and the Presence. I realize that this doesn’t answer Aidan’s question specifically about whether or not it’s hard for You Lord, but Your Word clearly establishes the ability for You to do so, and the promise You gave us:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV) (one of my all-time favorite verses)
Great question Aidan! 🙂
Jonathan (11): “What does God have planned for the people of Japan now?”
Bless him Father, he worries about so much and so many people for an 11 year old.
I explained to him that in cases like this, we have to understand that we don’t truly have the “Big Picture” that You do, but that You were still there for those people, still loved them and were still in control.
I’m sure he’ll be talking with You directly later on about this Lord. Maybe You can give him a better answer than I was able to at 7:45 this morning. 🙂
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the lessons I learn each day through my children. I love seeing them growing in Your Kingdom and yearning to know You better. Please continue to guide them along the path You have chosen, and help me bring Your Love and Wisdom to their hearts and minds. Amen.
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.
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. 
