First off Father, I want to thank You for the weekend. As we discussed Friday, Shannon and I both went into it sick and we ended up spending most of the weekend inside. I did manage to sneak out a couple hours on Saturday with Jonathan for a trip to Barnes & Noble, and made a quick grocery run on Sunday but other than that it was a quiet, reserved couple of days. Thankfully, Shannon and I seem to be on the upside of this bug, but it’s obviously going to take a few more days to completely clear out. Either way, although our weekend didn’t exactly go as we planned I did get to spend lots of quality time with my family. 🙂
And then, Monday happened.
We were actually doing unusually well for a Monday morning Father. Everyone got up on time, got things together and out the door on schedule, and we made it to the kids’ school with time to spare. About 10 minutes after dropping them off however, came the call…
With no warning, Jonathan had vomited on his way to class. ~sigh~
I dropped my things at the office, and made my way back to school to retrieve him. He’d been complaining about some headaches for the last week or so, but other than that this was the only symptom he presented with. Unfortunately, because he still has a VP shunt in place we have to look at those two particular symptoms very carefully as they can indicate problems with it’s operation. I picked him up, made a call, and off to the pediatrician we went.
The wait to be seen at the doctor’s office was typical for a Monday morning; a little over an hour. We sat waiting in the truck (the office lobby was full), me spending time reading in Exodus on my Nook Color (I’m really enjoying my new toy) while Jonathan quietly played a puzzle game on my phone. When we finally got in to see the doctor the appointment was short and to the point, and we were quickly sent next door to have some sinus x-rays done. Those too, went without issue and about an hour later we received a call from the doctor indicating that his sinuses looked perfectly clear, and that if his symptoms persisted we would need to have Jonathan evaluated by his neurologist.
So… No immediate answers; just more questions.
Each time we get a reminder of Jonathan’s unique medical needs Father, it’s a vibrant flashback to some very scary times. For the most part, we’ve slipped back into “normality” in regards to his health; sniffles are just sniffles, not a trip to the emergency room at 2AM. When situations like this come up though, we’re thrust back into the world of the unknown and the “what if” scenarios. It’s a place we know far too well, and pray often to avoid.
And yet Father, I know in my heart that You’re with him. And armed with that bit of Truth, those “what ifs” aren’t nearly as frightening as they once were.
I still worry of course. That’s my job as his father, and I love him dearly. You’ve entrusted him to our care, and I’ll do whatever is required of me to honor that assignment. However, knowing that all the while he’s in Your Loving Arms brings amazing peace to my spirit. Thank You for that confidence Lord.
Heavenly Father, please continue to watch over Jonathan and bring to him Your Healing Touch. I thank You for the comfort of Your Presence, and pray that all those in need of reassurance can also feel that peace. Through Your Love Father, “what ifs” can truly become Amens. Amen.
Well Father, it’s certainly been a roller-coaster of a week. You’ve been extremely “chatty” with me as of late and while I don’t completely understand these urgings You’re placing on my heart yet, I’m starting to put some of the pieces together. Either way Lord, I am paying attention. 🙂
Today Father, I’d like to lift a dear friend of mine up in prayer. He’s going through a very rough time at the moment, and he’s hurting deeply inside. He’s been an incredible support and Blessing both to myself and my business over the years, and has always encouraged me on my journey to Your Service. Please bring Your Healing Presence to his heart Father, and grant him the comfort he needs to be strong during this time of trial.
To close out the week Lord, I’d like to once again share some music that uplifts and inspires me. One of my favorite Christian Artists for many years has been Mark Schultz. He initially grabbed my attention almost ten years ago with “He’s My Son”, which I first heard while Jonathan was going through chemotherapy. Recently however, he seems to be coming out with one amazing new song after another. One of those that truly makes my heart swell is “Love Has Come” :
He’s a truly talented artist Father, and I can feel Your Love each time I hear this song. The chorus says it all :
“Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That God is love and love has come for us all
Every heart set free, every one will see
That God is love and love has come for us all”
As You’re undoubtedly aware Father, it’s a dreary, rainy day here in Delaware. It’s just one of those mornings where I wake up, look outside, and seriously contemplate finding some excuse to crawl back under the covers. Alas, today that wasn’t an option so out into the weather I went.
Driving into the office following teacher conferences at the boys’ school (which went very well… thank You!), I started contemplating the lingering clouds and falling rain a little bit more. Like all of Your Gifts to us, the rain has a purpose; it supports and nourishes life, and cleanses the landscape it traverses. While we may not always feel joyous when the weather shifts, it is one of Your Blessings to us all the same.
And then comes the rainbow…
“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”” – Genesis 9:12-16 (NIV)
I LOVE this Lord: a rainbow is the reminder of Your covenant with us. What an amazing signature You have Father! Noah must have had such a smile on his face seeing that first rainbow. 🙂
Today Father, You also placed on my heart the idea to start “Thankful Thursday” here on phatherphil.org. The concept I had was that on each Thursday’s message to You, I’d close by listing some of the things I’ve been especially thankful for this week. Just for curiosity’s sake, I did a quick Google search on the phrase and found that it was already something that was being done and coordinated on another site. The site is a blog called “Grace Alone…”, and I’m pleased to link to her site today.
This week has been a hectic roller-coaster-ride Lord, but it’s funny that during those crazy days I find myself even more thankful for Your Blessings. As this is the first “Thankful Thursday” entry for me, I’ll start with the most obvious and significant miracle in my life:
I’m extremely thankful for the unending support of my wonderful wife Shannon. As You know Father, things have been difficult business-wise over the last several months. Through every up-and-down, she’s always been there for me with words of comfort and encouragement. Her love is an amazing gift Lord, and I feel truly Blessed having her as my wife.
There are so many other Blessings You grant me each day Lord, but we’ll start there. 🙂
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the cleansing rain and the vibrant reminder of Your Covenant that will soon follow. I pray we can all see through the apparent gloom and witness Your Shining Majesty in each of our lives today. Amen.
During my morning web “stumbling” Lord, I came across a statement made on a blog site regarding missionary work that got the gears in my head spinning. The phrase used was : “God is not practical.”. In the context of the article it was contained in the statement wasn’t used in a derogatory fashion, it was simply used to illustrate that You call us to do things that may not be expedient, or what we would deem logical and productive. Either way, it got me to thinking…
Am I allowing You to take me outside my “comfort zone” when You ask, or am I sometimes only serving You when it’s practical to do so?
Ouch… That’s a convicting question. Yes, I’ve absolutely stretched my boundaries and grown in Faith but have I always done all I can? If I’m brutally honest with myself the answer is a resounding no. Have I taken every opportunity to share Your Message with others? No. Have I consistently followed the whispers You place in my heart, and dropped everything to accomplish Your Will? No. Have I faithfully followed Jesus’ example in every aspect of my daily life? No.
Am I learning, growing and striving for transformation so that I may someday change those answers? Yes. 🙂
I am a work in progress Father; A repentant child who looks to You for guidance, inspiration, understanding and mercy. Please hear my prayer.
Heavenly Father, I pray that in Your Word and with Your Guidance I continue to grow in Your Kingdom. Please lead me to bring Your Message to others, and to stray joyously out of the practical in Your Service. Amen.
This morning Father, my heart is troubled by some extremely disturbing events that happened yesterday evening involving a friend of ours. You know the lady and the details Lord; she’s in terrible emotional turmoil, and needs You desperately. As I’ve asked in my prayers many times today Father, please let her feel Your Comfort and Presence to guide her through this time of trial.
On a happier note, I thought I’d close the week with some joyous music! Jonathan and I have tickets to the Newsboys “Born Again Experience” Concert with Kutless, Disciple and Carlos Whittaker for April 9th. Jonathan is a HUGE Newsboys fan, and this is his first concert as well so he’s very excited (Ok, so am I 🙂 ). Anyways, they released a new music video last month for the song “Miracles” so I thought I’d finish our chat up with that :
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;” – Psalm 98:4 (NIV)
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. 
