Dear Lord; Well Father, it’s almost the end of another year. It’s certainly been a roller coaster, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time the last few days reflecting on everything that’s transpired.
Financially, 2010 has been a nightmare for myself and my business. Coming off a very positive 2009, the first half of this year saw one drain after another as the crippled economy took it’s toll on our clients. We adjusted as best we could, and gained some ground back mid-year, but even today we’re still dealing with digging our way out of the hole that was created. And like any other business owner, that shortfall has carried through to my personal finances, putting a significant strain on our household income. The one positive financial change that happened this year was the additional income produced by the wonderful new job Shannon got in September. It hasn’t completely balanced out the deficit, but it’s been an amazing Blessing to our household during these rough times.
Family health was all over the board this year as well. On the positive side, Jonathan’s disease has stayed in remission and he’s done very well this year. Thank You for that amazing Blessing! Shannon had a couple of injuries during the year, including seriously straining her back in the spring and later in the year bruising her tailbone. I managed to get Lyme Disease in the late spring, which caused me some significant issues, but other than some continuing joint discomfort that too seems to be staying at bay. Other than that, we’ve all had bouts of the typical Delaware sinus crud but have remained for the most part, healthy.
This year was not without it’s heartache as well Father. Following a painful battle with cancer, my best friend of 26 years left us to join You in August. He was a wonderful man, the best man at my wedding, and Jonathan’s Godfather and we all miss him very much. I take great solace however in the fact that he’s no longer in pain, and is now dwelling in Your Kingdom.
On the positive side though Father, we’ve had a number of wonderful things happen this year as well. As I mentioned earlier, Shannon got a new job this year that has been an amazing fit for her as well as providing us with some additional income. It’s wonderful to see her come home feeling appreciated, and fulfilled with what she’s doing, and I’m very proud of her. We had another fantastic family vacation this summer in the Pocono Mountains. We’ve come to really love Chestnut Grove, and the kids are already looking forward to going back there again this coming year. Over the summer Shannon and I also celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary with a surprise (to her anyways) Renewal of Vows Ceremony led by the Pastor that married us. It was a wonderful affair with family and friends in attendance, and a time of great joy for us both. And finally, a few weeks back Lord I was truly Blessed to be able to act as Your Emissary to bring two good friends together in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. That was an amazing honor, and Your Presence was obvious to all that attended.
On the Blessings side Lord, I have actually quite a few to Praise You for. My marriage to Shannon has never been stronger. She’s an amazing lady Father, and my love for her continues to grow deeper with each passing year. My children are growing, and learning, and happy, and healthy and dreaming Father. They’re my light and my inspiration, and I thank You so much for making them a part of my life. We’re surrounded by wonderful friends, and we feel their love and caring on a regular basis. And possibly most importantly Father, this year has been an amazing time for my personal growth in You. I feel Your Presence in my life more and more every day, and give Thanks and Praise for Your Grace in my journey to You. And although this has been a tumultuous time for many of us, I’m quite secure in my Faith that in You, all things are possible. Amen.
Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father. I know, it’s usually a morning correspondence but everything kept redirecting me this morning and until now, I didn’t know why. I had a topic of conversation planned for today, but due to discussions with two different friends in the last few minutes, I need to shift my thoughts and prayers to their needs.
Dear Lord, please send Your Healing power to those of whom I speak. Please let them feel Your Loving Arms around them, and the comfort of Your Presence. Nourish and care for their troubled bodies, and lift their spirits that they may know Your Infinite Love is with them.
Dear Lord; You know Father, I think that sometimes You like to catch me off guard when You speak to me. Most notably in the last couple of months, I’ve received Your Guidance in some of what I consider odd ways and places. I’m guessing that some of it is that I’ve been working diligently to make myself more open to Your Presence in all parts of my life, but either way You’ve once again made Your imprint on me…
…But while I was cleaning snow off the driveway?
As You know already, we got hit with an intense little snowstorm on Sunday, complete with 40+ mph winds which made some lovely drifts to cover us up. While I tried to wait until the winds had died down to clear the driveway, when I went out Monday afternoon with the snow-thrower there were still some pretty significant gusts making things more difficult. As the wind was blowing across the driveway, one side was easy enough to do but when I started to try to throw the snow up on the other side, I was of course greeted with a face full as it blew right back at me and recoated the pavement. I made some progress working between the gusts as best I could, but it seemed to be an uphill battle.
“Don’t fight the wind.” You said to me quietly.
I was a little taken aback, as I really hadn’t expected You to get involved in something as mundane as clearing snow off my driveway but I stopped for a minute and rethought it all the same. It seemed like it was way too far for my little snow-thrower to heave the covering to the other side of the driveway, but I turned the thrower around and gave it a shot anyways. Funny enough, the wind gave me the extra lift I needed and the piles of white soon moved aside.
After finishing up and sitting inside contemplating what had happened, it dawned on me that my experience was very much a metaphor for our relationship with You. We struggle each day with all the earthly worries, fears and activities that seem to consume our lives, yet when we’re able to open our hearts and minds to Your Voice, our burdens become Yours and Your Will is done. Intentionally or not, we “fight the wind” way too much, and I appreciate You reminding me of that. Amen.
Dear Lord; Well Father, I want to start today by thanking You for Your Healing Light; Shannon and I are both feeling much better today. And more importantly Lord, I got Your point from our illness. Through all the stresses, difficulties and worries in our lives we are absolutely Loved and Blessed. What an amazing feeling! We had such an exceptional outpouring of love and concern that both of us could feel Your Presence in abundance, and we’re very grateful.
Today however, I’ll admit to be feeling a little overwhelmed with my earthly realities. Between the demands at work and Christmas being only four short days away, Shannon and I are struggling to not allow our time and money constraints to overshadow the amazing Blessing this Season of Celebration brings to us all. As You know, one of the things I use to keep my spirit focused on what’s truly important Lord, is music. Today, You kept bringing one specific Artist to my mind; Kathy Mattea. Her “Good News” Christmas Album has long been one of my favorites, and today this song just spoke to me :
Thank You Father, for all the Miracles You bring us each day. Help us all lay our worries and burdens at Your Feet and go forward in Love to Celebrate the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. ~Phather Phil
Dear Lord; Good morning Father! First off, I want to tell You how wonderful it was to have such an amazing outpouring of affection and prayers for Jonathan’s birthday yesterday. Between the phone calls, Facebook postings, Blog Comments and emails it was VERY apparent to Shannon and I how loved he is, and how Blessed we are to know so many good people.
Today Lord, I’d like to revisit a topic we’ve discussed before; The sense of despair I’ve been seeing in far too many people lately. The reasons for these feelings run the gambit from financial problems, to employment issues, to stressing over Holiday “requirements”, but it seems that even more than usual, many are letting these burdens overwhelm them. I’ll be honest Father, our year has certainly been difficult in many ways as well, however it really hasn’t felt as desperate for me as I would have expected. Thinking on this, and listening for Your Guidance I realized why… I’ve got Jesus in my heart! What a remarkable Gift You’ve given me! No, that doesn’t pay the mortgage or keep gas in the car, but it does put all those things in proper perspective. Matthew 11:28-30 reads :
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Thank You so much Lord! You make all my burdens feel so light when I lay them at Your feet!
Therefore Father, my prayer today is a simple one. Please let those who feel lost, overwhelmed and full of despair feel Your Loving Presence in their hearts and rejoice! May the Peace of Christ pass over all those in need, and bring them to Your Light. 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.
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. 
