The Most Important Relationship

Dear Lord; Once again Father, I want to start our Monday chat by thanking You for a lovely weekend with good friends and family.  While I probably should have spent more time sleeping and recharging for the week ahead, the time spent with those I care about greatly outweighed the need for rest.  Either way, it was a wonderful weekend and I thank You for that.

This morning Lord, I’d like to talk with You about the paradoxical effect this Season seems to bring on to some people.  With all of the emphasis on the close relationships in our lives this time of year, those people experiencing a personal loss may dwell on that emptiness and end up having adverse feelings about the Holiday in general.  Be it death, divorce, illness or physical separation causing those feelings, I’ve seen quite a few folks who are just having a difficult time embracing the love this Time of Celebration exudes.  The true shame in this really is that these people are missing the most important relationship that they have… The one with You!  Joshua 1:9 reads :

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

While we all suffer from losses on this Earth at some point, if we put our focus on Your constant Presence in our lives, we are never truly alone.  What an amazing Gift that is!  Like all of Your Children at some point, I’ve been guilty of focusing my heart on mortal pains now and again.  The closer I get to You though Lord, the less time I spend with my heart in turmoil and the more thankful I become.  Please reach out Your Light to all those in pain Father, so that they may feel the Peace and Love of this Blessed time of year.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

From the Voices of Children

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

Prayers of Thanks for Prosperity

Dear Lord; In keeping with my “Prayers of Thanks” theme this week Father, I’d like to talk about something else I’m very thankful for; Prosperity.  Now, at first glance this may seem to also be ironic as financially this has been one of the worst years we’ve ever had, but I’m focusing on the “Big Picture” here, but it really isn’t.  Let me explain.

I’ve learned to look at the concept of prosperity in a different way over the last several years.  Yes, there’s certainly a prosperity that comes along with significant financial gain or business success, but I also think it plays into other areas of life as well.  For example:

• I have an amazing family, and although money has been very tight as of late we’ve never been closer.
• I’m surrounded by a plethora of wonderful friends who truly care about us, and for whom we care in return.
• We have a lovely home, we’re warm and clothed, and we have good food in our bellies each day.
• Shannon and I both have jobs we enjoy, and although self-employment does hold a large number of challenges, I have the ability to forge my own professional destiny.
• Our children go to a good school, are doing extremely well and are growing mentally, physically and emotionally.
• My relationship with You Father, has never been stronger and continues to grow each day.

I think I can safely look at these and say I feel prosperous this year Lord.  Today’s prayer therefore, is for all of us to look at prosperity through Your Eyes, and to try to see the “Big Picture” so we may be truly thankful for Your Blessings and Grace.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Just… Thank You!

Dear Lord; This morning I just want to say Thank You. The list of things I’m thankful for is long and diverse, but you know my heart and what’s contained therein. Although life has been quite tumultuous as of late, through all the ups and downs I’ve felt your Hand and it provides me the comfort and focus to see things through. Thank you for your Presence in our lives. Amen.  ~Phather Phil