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; 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; First off Father, if I seem to ramble a little this morning, please forgive me. This nasty bug that Shannon and I came down with Sunday morning has hit us so hard and so fast that I’m a bit disjointed at the moment. However Lord, although all my body wants right now is to go back to sleep my heart cried out to speak with You about something wonderful that happened to us yesterday.
This was to be a busy weekend for us. Friday night, we had Jonathan’s 11th birthday party at the house and a number of his friends stayed overnight with us. It was a bit on the crazy side with that many pre-teen boys running through the house, but everyone had a good time and we survived the onslaught. Saturday afternoon, our boys then went to stay overnight with Aidan’s Godparents as Shannon and I had an “Adults Only” Christmas Party to attend, and it was to go quite late. The party was lots of fun, and we got home somewhere around 2:30am Sunday morning. Around 4:00am, both of us woke to fevers, chills, severe body aches and coughing. This lasted throughout the rest of the night, and well into the morning.
As I mentioned, this was intended to be a busy and productive weekend for us, including Sunday. With the hectic schedules we both have we were behind on all the typical household chores (laundry, dishes, groceries, etc.) as well as helping Jonathan with a school project due Monday and preparing a huge amount of homemade foods for Christmas gift baskets. Sunday was set aside to be the day to get all that accomplished, and with us both in horrible shape, it was looking very unlikely most of those things would get done. Being this was the last weekend before Christmas, this was a devastating blow to Shannon and I.
And then You intervened.
We have some friends that we’ve become quite close with over the last couple of months. They’re good people, but have been dealing with one nightmare after another for some time now. Their plate is more than full Lord, it’s overflowing. And yet, when they found out that Shannon and I were down for the count, the next thing we knew the wife of the couple was at our door.
We helped as much as we could Father, but she ran the show. She took Shannon to the grocery store, helped do the necessary cooking, did a number of loads of laundry, and even found time to help Jonathan with his project; All the while insisting that we rest and try to recuperate. She was in every way Heaven Sent Lord, and I can’t tell You how much it meant to both of us.
Therefore Father, my prayers today are very focused. Please bestow Your Love and Blessings on this wonderful lady and her family. Continue to fill her heart with the Love of Christ, and give her Peace knowing that she is indeed Loved and Appreciated in so many ways. Amen. ~Phather Phil
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; Whew… What a crazy morning it’s been Father. In addition to the normal first-thing rushing around to get everyone ready for work and school, today we had to contend with a grumpy almost-11-year-old who apparently was still disgruntled from an argument over homework with his mother the night before. His mood of course, did nothing to expedite all of us getting out of the house on time, and we found ourselves running to get out the door. In the car on the way to school, I got the chance to try and talk with him about his behavior and when that was met with resistance, I hit him with the bomb; “Jonathan, if Jesus was standing next to you right now, how do you think he’d feel about your behavior?” That got his attention. He looked down at his lap and mumbled something about how he knew Jesus wouldn’t approve, and his demeanor seemed to lighten a bit. I challenged him to think about that question more over the course of the day, and told him we’d talk more when I got home.
After dropping the kids off at school, I started playing things back in my head and thinking about the question I asked him in a larger context. It dawned on me that this was really an inquiry that we should all ask ourselves on a more regular basis. Yes, I do try to make decisions based on what my beliefs say are correct and I do try to listen for Your Guidance over the course of my day, but I certainly know I’m imperfect and don’t always make the right calls for every situation. Therefore Father, over this Season of Celebration I’m going to try to spend more time putting my actions and judgment to the same litmus test I asked of my son this morning. My hope is that by putting myself under the proverbial “Holy Microscope” more often I can gain further understanding of Your Will, and be a better husband, father, businessman, and Child of God. 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. 
