Dear Lord; Happy Friday Father!
Ten years Lord… Ten years.
Thank You… Thank You… Thank You… Thank You!
This weekend Father, as You’re aware, we’re celebrating 10 years that our oldest son Jonathan has been off of chemotherapy, and other than for a few atypical skin irregularities that were removed as a safety measure, in remission.
While we live each day knowing that there’s still no cure for his disease (Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis), and that it could rear it’s ugly head at any time, we also know that we rest in Your Healing Hands and that even in our darkest moments of despair, You were always with us. I realize that our earthly lives are temporary and precious gifts Father, and I thank You from the bottom my heart for continuing to Bless us with Jonathan’s presence here among us.
Driving in to work this morning, I was listening to a song called “Blessings” sung by Laura Story. Although I’d heard it before, for some reason the lyrics struck a chord in my heart today and very much fit in with the thoughts I’ve been having about that first 14 months of Jonathan’s life. The chorus states:
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
It’s that last line that gets me Lord… What if…
I know one thing for sure Father, the trials we endured during that terrifying time have irrevocably changed us. In my case, You took that tragedy and used it as a starting point for my path back to You. In the pit of my anguish, You saved me, and exposed me to lessons I desperately needed to learn. Much of my life since that time has been shaped by those painful, joyous teachings, and for that I thank You.
Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the Blessing of health You’ve granted our son Jonathan these past ten years. I pray that You continue to keep him in Your Loving Arms, and that Your Healing and Comfort is felt by others who are going through such trials. Amen.
~Phather Phil
P.S. For those reading this who may not be familiar with Jonathan’s story, I’ve written articles about it on several occasions, including : “Then and Now, Lessons Learned” and “I’m Sorry, and Thank You”.
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. 
I love the words to that song so much spoken truth I know for me a thousand sleepless nights surely makes me draw closer to God. I want to also say congrats for the 10 years thank you Lord Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and by His blood we are healed thank you Jesus for your healing hand towards this little boy and the family. AMEN!
Thank you Desiray! He heals us all in so many ways each day, we feel truly Blessed!
Have a Blessed Day!
Rejoicing with you! “What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near” Love that line 🙂 His peace is amazing.
Thank you so much Eileen! I love that line as well, and being a chronic insomniac I understand how true it is. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Praising God with you!! God truly has a plan for Jonathan’s life!
He does indeed Jenifer, and it’s amazing to see it unfolding! Thank you!
Have a Blessed Day!
What a wonderful thing to celebrate! I have no doubt that some of God’s greatest blessings come disguised as trials. 🙂 Have a blessed and safe holiday weekend, Phil.
Thank you Lisa! I’ve found more and more things that at one time or another in my life I considered trials, but now realize were formative steps I needed to take. It’s always difficult to see when things are “blowing up” around us, but God does some of his most powerful work in those situations.
Have a Blessed Day Dear Lady!
What an amazing story and so neat to celebrate the way you do. That song was used in a video made after our community was hit by tornadoes last month. Its been amazing to see all the lives blessed in the midst of such tragedy! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Tresa, and welcome! I took a quick look at the video on your site… Such devastating loss. We can’t possibly know why tragedies like that occur, and yet our Faith in God’s Love for us decries the idea that it’s a punishment; but instead a trial we’re meant to go through for some reason unbeknownst to us. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
“he trials we endured during that terrifying time have irrevocably changed us.”
I’ve been reflecting on this, Phil, as I prepare to speak next weekend at the local cancer survivor’s picnic. Indeed, any season of suffering irrevocably changes us all. I hope, in my case, for the better. I fear, however, that there are many days when I get stuck in it all. My gratefulness gets swallowed up by my confusion. I suppose that time will write a witness all its own, that soon I’ll be able to connect the dots regarding life lessons. I’ve certainly been to the classroom, as have you and your family. Today I celebrate “survivorship”… not just for Jonathan, but for all of you! To God be the glory.
peace~elaine
Thank you Elaine! We’re dealt some difficult courses in that classroom, and yet through those lessons we come closer to becoming what God intends of us. We’re Blessed in so many ways, and through that “survivorship” we’re able to share those Blessings with others without blinders in the way. I’m sure your speech at the picnic will be inspired, and God’s Gifts well represented. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
What an absolutely inspiring message! What a powerful testimony of God’s loving grace and healing mercies! (and I do believe that Jonathan is healed; I still believe in miracles, no matter what they say 🙂
“Here are the two best prayers I know: ‘Help me, help me, and help me and ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.'” ~Anne Lamott
*What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise*? This last line gets me too, for it’s so true. Perspective is the difference in how we deal with afflictions, and a holy perspective sees that all things do work together for the good of those who love the Lord.
~ Love and blessings to Jonathan and to you all
Thank you Debra… I believe that as well. I know for sure that I have been! 🙂
As my walk with Christ moves forward, I find that looking back at past events I can see more of those mercies present in situations where I felt the most hopeless. I’m trying in this season of life to use that knowledge and Faith to look at each day with renewed light, and seeing that God is always there with us, whether His intentions are obvious at the time or not.
Have a Blessed Day Dear Lady!