Yesterday morning, I hit the wall Father. The cumulative weight of many insomnia-driven nights had finally exacted its penance on me. And when the alarm abruptly announced it was time for me to awaken for our time together, for the first time in a great long while Lord, I shut it off and laid back down.
An hour or so later the alarm once again fulfilled its mission, brutally reminding me of the day that lie ahead. Caving in to its insistent call, I pulled myself from beneath the covers. As I sat on the side of the bed desperately attempting to shake the cobwebs loose from my resistant mind, the loss of my “Still time” in Your presence sat uneasily in my heart…
I count on that time…
I look forward to it…
And yet, today I’d missed it.
Determined to refresh my spirit, I reached for my daily bread; the daily devotional message I read each morning from my Stand Firm men’s magazine. This attempt however, also proved fruitless as I realized that a new month had begun, and my February edition was nowhere to be found.
“Wow…” I thought. “I’m really not doing very well for You today Father…”
As my failings of the morning took deeper root, my weariness took on new life.
And then my mobile phone lit up.
“Hmm… No one texts me at this hour… This can’t be good.” I thought.
Resolved to more of the morning’s direction, I begrudgingly picked up the phone and read the message…
“Good morning. You came to my mind, so I prayed for you and your family. Just wanted to let you know that. :-)”
And in a single moment Father, my day changed.
I’d overslept…
I’d missed my Scripture time…
I’d misplaced my devotional…
And yet,
You found a way Lord,
To remind me that You love me,
Through the heart of a friend.
Thank You. 🙂
Continuing to count my Blessings on this sunny Thankful Thursday Father, this week I’ve been especially grateful for:
541. An upcoming visit from some dear friends.
542. Some beautiful unseasonal, spring-like weather this week.
543. Getting to catch up a little with a friend I haven’t seen in a while today.
544. The honor of being asked to pray for someone in need.
545. “Remote Control” software that allows me to service computers anywhere.
546. A wonderful surprise gift of a Jason Gray CD, containing the song “Remind Me Who I Am”.
547. A wonderful, long walk in Blackbird State Forest this past Sunday with my two boys.
548. Finally getting to watch the movie “Courageous” with friends this past Saturday.
549. Getting to “Sit in” on a worship practice today.
551. That a good friend of our family is experiencing the relief of Your healing following some serious health problems.
552. The opportunity to assist another church with their web presence.
553. Text messaging on my phone that helps keep me connected to those I care about.
554. Chicken Cordon Bleu, shared with friends.
555. Seeing Your hand at work in my relationships with others.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord, for all the many Blessings You bring to our lives each and every day; both those that boldly reveal Your presence, and those that grace us in the silence.
Today Lord, I’m truly Blessed to be sharing some of the inspirations you’ve given me over at a fellow blogger and friend’s site; Healthy Spirituality.
Jean’s blog is always an amazing source of encouragement, education and inspiration to me Father, and I was absolutely honored when she asked me to write a post for her. I’ll admit it Lord, I struggled for some time with what I felt You wanted me to share, and then again with finding the right phrasing to bring that truth to life. Thankfully though Father, the words did come and I pray that I did Your message justice through their employ.
Continuing to count my Blessings Lord, on this very Thankful Thursday I’m especially grateful for:
526. That I have people who challenge me to grow closer to You, and hold me accountable for that commitment.
I thank You Lord, for the many Blessings You bestow on us each day; both those that light the night as a monument to Your love, and those that grace us quietly, whispering Your message from the shadows.
About this time last year Lord, I joined with many of my Christian Blogging brothers and sisters and began to think and pray about choosing a single word to guide my steps throughout the year. In the end, although I was unsure as to why at the time, You very clearly placed the word “Accept” on my heart.
As I look back over the past year Father, Your reasons for Blessing me with that word become very apparent. 2011 was a year filled with struggles, and joy, with pain, and enlightenment. And yet, when I attempt to “compile” the year’s experiences and summarize what truths I’ve been given in that time, Your word for me keeps showing up…
I Accept that I can’t fix everything, or solve every problem…
I Accept that I’m dependent Father; needy of Your presence in all parts of my life.
I Accept that only by consistently seeking humility before You, can I find true strength.
I Accept that I’m Your Beloved Child.
And so many others Father… “Accept” makes perfect sense to me now.
So now we come to 2012.
As You know Father, I started praying about this year’s word a couple weeks ago. You’ve been relatively quiet on the subject so far, but this morning on my ride to work You broke that silence…
Well Lord, once again, it’s not what I would have chosen, nor what I expected. Nonetheless, I trust You Father, with all my heart, and Accept this word as the precious gift it is. I have no idea what part my word will play in the coming year, but I Promise to keep my mind, and my heart, open to Your voice.
Well Lord, I had every intention of writing You a completely different post today. It came to me this morning, I thought about it throughout the day, I researched the Scriptures involved at length, and then…
You shifted gears on me.
It happened while I was driving back from picking up a prescription refill at our veterinarian this afternoon. I’d elected to take the back way there; giving myself a little added “quiet time” to gather my thoughts and contemplate my post a bit. There I was, riding along deep in thought, when all of a sudden I got that “pay attention” nudge I’ve come to know. The song on the radio had just changed, and the lyrics immediately caught my notice…
Wow Lord… I’ve felt like this more than once as of late…
You think I’d have it down by now
Been practicin’ for thirty years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin’ here
Reachin’ out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what’s a boy supposed to do?
I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless…
Clumsy… What an apt description of how I feel on my journey to You sometimes Father…
I stumble…
I trip…
I take the wrong “fork in the road”…
And yet…
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah
Today Father, we come to the final Thankful Thursday edition of PhatherPhil.org for this calendar year. When I began this recurring post 31 weeks ago (whew!), I honestly never expected the profound impact it would have on me, or that it would draw me so much closer to You in the process.
As I sit down each week to write out my list Lord, my mind drifts back over the past seven days; revisiting those moments that left their marks on my heart. What I’ve found in doing so Father, is that even in those situations where things don’t seem to go my way, when I look closely enough, Your Blessings pour out nonetheless. That little shift in vision Lord, has been a major Blessing all by itself. I still have struggles and times that tax my strength, but when I look through my “Thankful Thursday Goggles”, I’m much more able to place those moments in their proper light. It’s been an eye-opening experience so far Lord, and I can’t wait to see what Blessings You’ll reveal to me in the coming year.
Therefore Father, to close out the year on a joyful note, this past week I’ve been especially grateful for:
466. Time spent alone with Shannon last Friday afternoon and evening.
467. Google Music which allows me to listen to my music on all my devices, anywhere, at any time.
468. The pain relief provided by our heating pad last night.
469. Hickory Farms New York Cheddar Spread (Used to be called Chutter).
470. That when my stubbornness blinds me to common sense, my wonderful wife Shannon “nudges” me back on track.
471. The Living Water that satisfies my spiritual thirst.
472. Having three days off over Christmas spent with those I love.
477. That the stabbing pains I had in my lower back yesterday have settled down today.
478. Seeing the expressions of wonder and joy on my children’s faces Christmas morning.
479. The opportunity to support other local ministries.
480. The trust of a good friend.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You Lord, for gracing us with such a multitude of Blessings this past year. As we start anew in 2012, please clear our eyes to reveal Your gifts in all circumstances; both those that lift our hearts in song, and those in which Your Blessings may be masked within our trials.
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. 
