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; Last night, my family settled in to watch our favorite Christmas Movie…White Christmas. What a wonderful film that is! No matter how many times I watch it, I still end up with a huge smile on my face and find myself singing the songs for days afterwards. In the movie, my favorite song by far is “Count Your Blessings” sung by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.
Listening to that wonderful music last night, it dawned on me that there’s a great deal of wisdom in those lyrics. As I discussed in yesterday’s correspondence Father, there seems to be a lot of Your Children who are feeling very overburdened and lost at the moment. If along with laying those fears and doubts at the Foot of the Cross, we spend our time rejoicing and giving thanks for the Blessings You’ve bestowed on us, we’d all be closer in our walk with You. Thank You Lord, for all the Blessings both obvious and unseen that surround us all.
“So if you’re worried and you can’t sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”
Dear Lord; First off, let me say Thank You for watching over Jonathan yesterday during his trip. He had a wonderful time, and seems to have learned quite a bit from the experience. Seeing that light in his eyes brings me more happiness than almost anything else in this world.
Secondly, I want to thank You for all of the inspiration You provided me with yesterday while finalizing the wedding script. I have to say, I’m very happy with the results and the Bride seems to be as well. Now I just pray that I can deliver Your Words with the reverence You deserve, and bring Your Loving Presence to those in attendance.
Also in my thoughts today Lord, is my Wonderful Wife Shannon. As You know, she teaches a preschool class and is absolutely amazing at working with those children. Like any group of kids, she has some that are far more challenging than others and over the last couple of weeks she’s been struggling with one in particular. Father, she takes her care of these children so personally that when she has difficulties reaching even one it hurts her heart very deeply. Please comfort her spirit Lord, and fill her with the understanding that every act of love she performs for these little ones is never in vain. Take her in Your Embrace, and let her feel Your Presence so that she can continue to bring her love to these children. Amen.
And today Lord, I’m actually going to add a P.S. to our conversation. The other night on TV, they showed “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. I was thrilled to see a happy piece of my childhood still being aired, and my kids absolutely loved it. More importantly Father, it’s one of the few Christmas specials that talks about the real meaning of Christmas and not the more generalized “Holiday” messages. One of my Facebook friends posted this link this morning, so I thought I’d close by sharing it.
Your Loving Message comes to me in so many ways Lord. 🙂
Dear Lord; Good morning Father! To start off with, I want to Thank You for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my family and friends. It never ceases to amaze me that when I focus on the blessings in my life, how truly rich I feel. Thank You for that.
This morning however, I’ve been having a difficult time getting motivated Lord. Maybe it’s just the “coming down” effect following a four-day weekend, but I started the day feeling a little rough. After a little searching for inspiration though, I found Psalm 18:32-36 :
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
I love this one… I know that no matter what Lord, You are my strength, my heart, and my salvation and you never leave my side, and this Psalm describes that perfectly for me. While I know this week is going to be filled with personal difficulties, I can approach it knowing You’re there for me. May everyone that’s dealing with fear, uncertainty or personal turmoil feel Your Loving Presence, and know that all Your Children are Blessed with Your Grace. Amen. ~Phather Phil
Dear Lord; Good morning, and Happy Thanksgiving Father! Over the last few days, I’ve been focusing our correspondence on some of the Blessings that I’m thankful for, so today I thought I’d share our time together and get my children involved in our chat. Quite often I’ve heard Your Voice or seen Your Light in them, so it made sense to me to find out what they were truly thankful for. This morning I asked them, “What would you like to thank God for?”, and here are their replies…
Aidan, Age 8 : “I would like to thank God for giving me a family, a home, for my pets, that my family’s really smart, that our new kitty wasn’t too sick when we got her, that I have nice friends, that I’m healthy, that my whole family is ‘mostly healthy’, that Me and Jonathan get along sometimes and that I have a good time at school.”
Jonathan, Age 10 : “I want to thank God for a healthy family, a caring family, great friends, a house around me, food in my tummy, for all the things You’ve done for me, having pets, having things to do, for having good education, having a brother, being able to go off and do things, for having clothes, making it so I can have video games, making me able to play with my family, forgiving me when I’ve done wrong and giving me courage for getting through tough situations.”
As I’ve mentioned before Lord, these two little boys are up towards the top of my Blessings list. My heart is shaped daily by their presence, and I lift my prayers of thanks to You for having them in my life.
May all of Your Children feel Your Loving Touch on this day, and know Your Grace that we may honor Your Presence and go forward in Love. 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. 
