You know Lord, it always brings a smile to my face when I have one of those moments when I realize you’re trying to tell me something. 🙂
I spent some time today with a friend who’s been going through a series of rough personal situations over the last year or so. I’m not at liberty to go into much detail here as it was a private conversation, but You know who she is Father. We chatted for a while about the issues she’s been facing, how her life has changed over the past year, and the overall feelings of futility and frustration that have been troubling her as of late. I tried to give her an outside perspective of things, and reinforced the hope that she could look at these life-changes as opportunities, and to grow stronger from her trials. She seemed a little more upbeat by the time I left, but she certainly has a winding road ahead of her.
The one thing that stood out for me from our conversation though Father, was the lack of self-worth she portrayed. She’s a beautiful, sweet, intelligent lady but with all that she’s been through her impression of herself seems to have taken a pretty significant hit.
Back in my office a little later in the day, I sat down to write out some thoughts for today’s discussion with You, and suddenly I had a strong urge to see what I’d posted on this date last year. Although I hadn’t fully started writing full-length blog entries at that point Father, I was posting some “Quick Notes to God” on my Facebook wall every couple of days. The entry for August 31, 2010 read:
Dear Lord; Sometimes, when it feels as if the world is on our shoulders, it’s very difficult to see ourselves in a positive light. May all those in the throes of turmoil see themselves, if just for a moment, through Your loving eyes and know that warmth and peace. Amen. ~Phather Phil
I love it when You do this to me Father. 🙂
We all suffer from a lack of confidence and feelings of self-doubt now and again, but there are three very important truths we can use to combat those emotions:
1. We’re not alone. Friends, family and our Brothers and Sisters in Christ are some of Your most powerful Blessings to us Father. You gave us one another to lean on in times of trial, to mourn with in sadness, and to celebrate with in times of joy.
2. You believe in us. We are completely Your creations Lord; fearfully and wonderfully made, and You know what we’re capable of. Although our flawed natures may allow fear and doubt to creep in, You never lose confidence in us.
3. When we place our burdens at the foot of the Cross, You give us the strength we need. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember when we’re engulfed by stress, but we’re not meant to do this by ourselves. You’re bigger than anything we could possibly face, and when we open our hearts to Your guidance, we find the path forward.
Heavenly Father, please help us pierce the veil of self-doubt that can cloud our perception of ourselves. Wrap us in Your presence, and let us move forward with the knowledge that through all the trials we face in our lives, You’re always by our side.
We are special, we are loved, and we are Yours Father.
I love when You place things on my heart Lord… I gain so much perspective from those moments.
As You know, I’ve been in “worry mode” lately Father; worried about the business not doing as well as I’d like, worried about the kids being prepared to go back to school, worried about not having medical insurance at the moment, and worried that all this worrying is getting in the way of my hearing You clearly. And although I’m usually able to squelch those feelings by focusing on the many Blessings in my life, I’ll admit to having allowed those negative emotions to overwhelm me more than once in recent days. This morning was one of those instances.
Thankfully, You decided it was time to get my attention.
Driving to an appointment this morning, my thoughts were churning; systematically cycling through all of the complications the past month had brought. I felt weighted, and edgy, and my temples throbbed in sympathetic rhythm with my pounding chest. I’d almost reached my destination, when You abruptly interrupted my train of thought…
“Turn your worries into prayers.” You whispered.
“But I have prayed about them…” I thought to myself. “Haven’t I??”
And then the light bulb went off… Ouch.
I realized that although I’ve been praying Father, it’s not always been from the right perspective. Instead of first giving You thanks, and then praying for Your direction in fulfilling Your desires for my life, I’ve instead allowed my worries, fears and anxieties to dictate my prayers. I’ve prayed for what I believed would be the best solutions to my problems, when I should have placed these situations fully in Your hands, and listened for Your guidance as to the proper path to take. I was praying for what I wanted to happen, instead of to be a part of what You wanted to happen.
I hadn’t realized I was praying in arrogance Father… Please forgive me.
Heavenly Father, please fill me with Your divine perspective that I may look to Your counsel first, and then act on Your behalf. I’m very much a work in progress Lord, and my deepest desire is to grow closer to You with each passing day.
With hurricane Irene looming to our South Father, folks around here are very much consumed with preparing themselves for a difficult and potentially dangerous weekend. We’ve made basic preparations ourselves; ensuring adequate supplies of food, water, propane and medications, as well as taking in any loose items from the deck and yard. Tensions are running high for many people on the East Coast right now Lord, but Your Presence brings comfort to the chaos. I pray that Your peace is felt by all those living in the shadow of fear, and that they can rest easier knowing that even in the midst of seemingly uncontrollable forces, Your sovereignty never falters.
To help combat the “dark clouds” on the horizon Father, I thought I’d end the week on a lighter note. I came across a video today that just gave me a chuckle, so I decided to share it…
I was never a fan of the original song (I truly disliked it actually), but this version works for me! 🙂
Thank You Father, for all the Blessings You’ve bestowed on us this week. Please calm the swirling winds, and shelter those in harm’s way in Your protective embrace that they may know Your might.
Well Father, You’re certainly providing us with an eventful week here in Delaware. Between the earthquake that we experienced on Tuesday and the impending arrival of hurricane Irene this weekend, we’re very much “on our toes” around here. And while we’ll of course be preparing as best we can for the potential effects of the storm, my fears are allayed by the knowledge that we’re in Your capable hands.
It’s been a slightly stressful week for me Lord, however as always Your Blessings in my life shine through that haze. To continue my Thankful Thursday list, this week I’m especially grateful for:
211. The sounds of crickets serenading me as I sit on our deck at night.
212. Jonathan and Aidan having a great first day back at school.
213. Shannon having a wonderful first day of work.
214. A smooth server installation for a new client today.
215. No damage or injuries from the earthquake that happened this week.
216. The soothing effect Praise Music has on Jonathan when he’s stressed.
217. Feeling more “in-tune” with Your Presence each day.
218. A significant surge in business this past week.
219. Having a dedicated Service Manager (and close friend) who keeps my business going.
220. Melatonin supplements to help with getting my sleep cycle back on track.
221. Fabric Softener.
222. The inner peace I draw from Your Presence.
223. Port wine cheese spread on Ritz crackers.
224. The fact that my kids still like to snuggle up with me. 🙂
225. Neighbors that keep a watchful eye on our home, and let us know when they see something that may be wrong.
And I’m just getting started Father. 🙂
Heavenly Father, I pray that the peace of Your presence is felt by all those gripped by fear as this hurricane heads towards us. Please keep those in harm’s way in Your watchful gaze, and bring us all safely through the storm.
To begin our week’s conversations Lord, I first want to give You thanks for the Blessings You granted me this past weekend. Although a busy couple days to be sure, I was Blessed to spend them in the company of family and friends. I regularly find myself overwhelmed by the gifts You bring to my life, and thank You for Your continued Presence. I am indeed Blessed.
Well Father, this Wednesday marks the return to classes for Jonathan and Aidan. And while they’re a little disappointed that the freedoms of summer are waning, they’re both very excited to dive into a new school year’s “education adventure”. With that thought in mind, I decided to focus this week’s Meditations Monday Scripture selections on what Your Word has to say about the advancement of knowledge:
…That the path of learning is important to both our head, and our heart:
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out. – Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)
…That putting our children on the proper path will help guide their future:
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
…That wisdom, understanding and knowledge work together to make our lives fuller:
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures. – Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, as our children begin another year’s schooling, please keep Your watchful gaze upon them. Please help them not only to absorb what they’re taught, but to apply that knowledge towards fulfilling Your desires for their lives. Open their minds and their hearts, and fill them with that thirst for wisdom that only You can instill. Lead them Teacher, that they may grow both in this earthly realm, and in Your Kingdom as well.
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. 
