Father, today marks the birth of someone who greatly influenced my early years, as well as the lives of many other children throughout the world. And while he’s no longer with us here, the legacy he left behind continues to inspire, educate and delight those who read his works. I’m of course speaking of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his pen name of Dr. Seuss.
While he made a point of not speaking to any one religion or group in his writings, his messages of tolerance, understanding and peace were obvious and recurring themes in the books he wrote. Through whimsical characters, engaging stories and tongue-twisting rhymes he made learning fun while passing along the underlying positive messages to his young audience. Even as an adult, I still get a smile reading his stories.
The one published exception to his self-imposed rule of not writing works with obvious religious connotations came in a full-page, full-color article in the December 23, 1955 issue of Collier’s Magazine, where he wrote “A Prayer for a Child”* :
“From here on earth, From my small place I ask of You Way out in space: Please tell all men In every land What You and I Both understand . . .
Please tell all men That Peace is Good. That’s all That need be understood In every world In Your great sky.
(We understand. Both You and I.)” – Theodor Seuss Geisel
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts this man brought to me and to so many other children. While his words may not specifically carry Your name, Your Light shone brightly through his works all the same. Amen.
~Phather Phil
*The poem and image used are Trademark and Copyright of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
In recent months Father, my children have become much more observant of the people around them and the things they say and do. This of course has led to LOTS of questions about behaviors and mannerisms, and why people act in certain ways. Following a car ride we took over the weekend, I started thinking much more in-depth about what they’re asking and the responses I’ve been giving them.
“Why do people throw trash on the ground?” asked Aidan as he looked out the car window Saturday afternoon. “Because sometimes, people can be lazy and selfish I’m afraid.” I responded. A little further down the road, I put my turn signal on to move over into a different lane. When I did so, instead of making space to let me in the driver of the car next to me closed the gap between themselves and the car in front of them, effectively preventing the lane-change. Sensing my annoyance, one of the boys piped up “Why’d they do that?”. “Because sometimes people only think about themselves.” I replied.
As I look back on that ride, I’m a little disappointed by the answers I gave to the boys. These were prime openings for much deeper discussions about how our actions or inactions can affect others, and how with little acts of kindness and thoughtfulness we can make a real difference in the lives of those around us. Little things like holding onto your napkin from lunch until you find a trash can, or moving aside when you see someone with their turn signal on cost us very little effort, and yet can be the difference between a smile and “the last straw” of someone’s day.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
In the same respect Lord, I am also convicted by my own words as well. In a rush to get to work in the morning, how many times have I cut someone off without thinking about it? How many times have I not stopped to help someone in need when I truly could have? How often have I focused on situations in my own life instead of trying to reach out to others going through difficult times? I do try to be a good person and show kindness and comfort to others, but if I’m brutally honest with myself I know I can do more.
Heavenly Father, please help guide me to be a source of compassion, support and understanding to those around me. Lead me to reach out in the spirit of Your Love, and to show that Light to others. Kindness is contagious Lord; Please aid me in starting an epidemic. Amen.
Wow Father, what a busy weekend! Between projects for work, helping the kids with homework, cleaning, laundry, dishes and cooking I think the craziness at the office will seem a little easier this morning. 🙂 Either way, I was Blessed to spend lots of time with people I love and was wonderfully productive so for that I thank You!
Along with the plethora of activity this weekend Lord, I was able to spend some time with Your Book reading in Genesis. For some reason, I was drawn to the narrative of Joseph and reread it several times. It made enough of an impact on me Father, that with Your indulgence I’d like to discuss this important story this morning.
Following Joseph’s betrayal at the hands of his brothers and being sold into slavery, he was taken to Egypt and sold into the service of one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar.
“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.” – Genesis 39:2-5 (NIV)
This really struck several points with me Father. First off, it must have been very obvious to Joseph’s master that You were with him to bestow that level of trust to a slave so quickly. I so want Your Light to shine through me like that! Secondly, through the trust placed in Joseph by Potiphar, his household became Blessed as well. This emphasized a very significant truth to me as well Lord; If we show Your Light to those around us, we Bless them as well!
But as you know Father, Joseph’s trials didn’t end there. He was later falsely accused and imprisoned, and yet his faith in You was stalwart. Even then, It was evident to the jailer that You were by his side and he was therefore placed in charge of the other prisoners.
“So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.” – Genesis 39:22 (NIV)
This position then led to his encounter with two of Pharaoh’s officials who had offended the king and been imprisoned for their indiscretions. Through Your Voice, Joseph interpreted dreams from each man, the events of which then came to pass as described. However, the official that had promised favor for Joseph upon his release quickly forgot his vow, and Joseph remained incarcerated for two more years.
And yet, Joseph’s faith never wavered.
Then Pharaoh had some dreams which left him troubled. He called on the expertise of his magicians and wise men, but none could provide a meaning for the nighttime messages. Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, whom Joseph had aided those two years prior was suddenly reminded of his accurate reading, and made Pharaoh aware of Joseph’s ability. Joseph was then summoned, and again through Your Voice was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Yet again, Your Presence in Joseph was so obvious that Pharaoh placed him in charge of his palace and of all his subjects, second only in authority to the king.
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”” – Genesis 41:39-40 (NIV)
With his newly found position, Joseph went to work preparing Egypt for the famine which had been prophesized to come. Once again, Joseph’s rock-solid faith not only granted him Blessings in his own life, but also Blessed those around him as well.
Heavenly Father, thank You for placing Joseph’s example in my heart this weekend. I pray that I can find the strength to be as faithful, as dedicated and as courageous as he was in Your Service. May Your Light be that obvious in me, so those I encounter have no doubt of Your Influence in my life. Amen.
To begin with Father, I want to thank You again for yesterday. As You told me it would be when I woke, it was a good day. 🙂
Today Lord, I’d like to focus my prayers on my wonderful wife Shannon if I may. As You know, she’s been on my mind even more than usual the last few days. The past year has been an amazing transition and growth year for her both personally and professionally, but in that same respect her workload has increased and changed from what she’d been used to for so long. From being a stay-at-home mom and part-time assistant at a Christian Preschool she now :
– Has a job as a full-time Preschool Teacher with a full class of four-year-olds at a school she loves, surrounded by people that encourage and appreciate her.
– Has started taking college courses to further her education in Early Childhood Development.
– Plays viola for the Dover Symphony Orchestra and a private quartet that does weddings and parties.
– Teaches violin, viola and other instrumental lessons to a number of children in the area.
And on top of that Father, she always finds time and energy for her loving husband and two little boys. I am indeed Blessed to have her as my wife, my best friend and the mother of our children.
When I first heard the song “Dancing in the Minefields” by Andrew Peterson played on K-Love earlier in the year, I shared it with her and we both immediately felt a connection to the message it contained. It’s been running through my heart a lot the last few days, so I thought I’d close the week by sharing :
Heavenly Father, You’ve bestowed upon me the most amazing gift any man could ask for; a true soul-mate in life. I thank You for such an undeserved Blessing, and pray that You continue to shine Your Light through her eyes and her heart. Amen.
Today Lord, I was having difficulty deciding how to “frame” our conversation. This morning brought along with the dawn a seemingly continuous stream of headaches, problems and complications which made it very difficult for me to focus on Your Voice through the “noise”. I started writing several times, but always ended up clearing it from my screen because it just felt wrong. Instead of forcing the issue, I decided to leave myself open to You as best I could, and work through the day’s labors until we could connect up properly.
Well Father… I’m here now.
It’s terribly disconcerting to me when I get to the point where I can’t focus enough to have our morning discussion. I’m dependent on You Lord, and when earthly influences overwhelm me to the point of not being able to concentrate on You, it’s upsetting to say the least. I felt lost, and embattled. For my human frailties Lord, I apologize and thank You for being ever faithful to me during my moments of weakness.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Thank You for Your Comfort and Strength Father, and Your Unwavering Dedication to Your Children. We are truly Blessed.
Now Lord, if I may, I’d like to shift the subject.
As I mentioned yesterday, over the weekend I got a chance to head out with Jonathan and Aidan to Blackbird State Forest for a photowalk in the woods. It wasn’t overly cold per-se, but the wind was in upwards of 40mph, providing a stark reminder that while the temperature was up a bit we were still in the grips of winter. I hadn’t been there during this time of year before, and it was a truly different place with the foliage stripped from the trees and bushes. The veil of green we were accustomed to seeing was cast aside, and had been replaced by a vast sea of towering gray trunks reaching into the sky.
Life seemed to have packed up and left for warmer climates.
And yet, as we walked through the silent, barren trails we were greeted with some signs of rebirth. Through the carpet of fallen leaves and pine needles poked streaks of color; tufts of early grasses and fungi protected by and feeding on the remains of the previous year’s abundance. Like our spirits journeying to Your Light Lord, the forest was quietly feeding and nourishing the life it held hidden beneath the surface.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, that walk opened my heart to the transitions You’re making in my life. I pray that You continue to feed my hunger for Your Presence, and nourish my imperfect and yearning spirit so that my human failings are no further impediment to Your Plan for me. 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. 
