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; First off Father, I want to follow up on our conversation yesterday. Last evening, I went to the local mall to pick up a couple of odds-and-ends. I was pleasantly surprised to see a significantly better perspective from the shoppers and vendors. I got smiles, Lord… Lots of them. And when I wished people there a Merry and Blessed Christmas, I got happy faces and well-wishes in return. Thank You for allowing me to witness those signs of Your Joy. It helped my spirits immensely.
Today Lord, my heart is already yearning towards the next couple of days. Work still holds many stresses for me, money is still extremely short and Shannon and I are still recovering from the bug that hit us last weekend, but the Light of the Blessed Event to come is overwhelming all of that. I’m very much looking forward to spending quite a bit of “quality time” with You over the next couple of days, and helping spread the Love and Hope the Birth of Your Son brought to us all. Please help me be an effective emissary of Your Word, and to bring Christ’s Message to as many others as possible.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Dear Lord; Good morning Father! Today Lord, I’d like to talk about an experience I had last night which made quite an impact on me… I went to the Super Wal*Mart.
I only needed a few items; Some food for dinner, and I wanted to pick up a couple Christmas gifts for the kids so I thought it would be a quick and easy trip. It was around 4:20pm, so I expected to avoid the truly heavy “after-work” traffic and in fact the parking lot was busy, but not as packed as I’ve seen before. I grabbed a cart, went inside, looked around at the hustle and bustle and almost immediately it hit me… No one was smiling.
Not the customers, not the cashiers, not the stock people, no one in eyesight had a smile on their faces. I’m not sure why it hit me so quickly, or affected me so significantly but the whole building suddenly seemed very cold and uninviting. Now, it wasn’t Wal*Mart itself. It’s certainly not my favorite place to shop, but I absolutely have nothing against it either. This was just an overall feeling being given off that pervaded the entire premises. And as I spent the next 45 minutes gathering what I came for, it only became more apparent to me that the people here simply were not happy. Even attempts to garner some positive responses from others in the store failed. I made eye contact, smiled and nodded to countless patrons, and yet all but one ignored my actions completely. In the end, I paid for my items and left the store feeling almost distraught at the overwhelming level of despair I had just witnessed. It hung with me for some of the evening, until I got some quiet time to contemplate and pray for guidance. That helped calm my spirit, but the experience still lingers in my mind.
So Father, this morning my heart is crying out to You for help. You’ve done so much for us, and yet there are so many who just can’t see past their earthly worries enough to bear witness to Your Glorious Works. Please fill these lost souls with Your Endless Love; Make it grow and spread so that Your Light shines like a beacon for all around to behold. Help me be an emissary for Your Word, and spread the Love of Christ and the Miracle of His Birth on to all those I possibly can. Amen. ~Phather Phil
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. 
