Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Mon… Um, Tuesday Father!
Well Father, to begin with I want to thank You for a lovely three-day-weekend. Other than some much-needed housecleaning, we were Blessed to enjoy quality time with friends, have a fun “Date Night” out, and help another of our friends celebrate her 40th birthday by hosting a surprise party at the house. All-in-all it was a very pleasant few days respite, and I’m very grateful for that time.
As we’ve discussed many times Lord, Shannon and I consider our friends one of Your most amazing Blessings in our lives. As I was running around on Monday morning picking up supplies for the birthday party we hosted, it dawned on me how amazingly diverse our group of friends really is. Truly, nearly every walk of life is represented in some fashion; each person a beautiful, unique thread in the tapestry of our “extended family”.
In his First Epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul discusses the importance of diversity in Your People along those same lines. In his example, the diversity comes from the varied Spiritual Gifts You bestow on us through the Holy Spirit:
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (NIV)
Paul makes a marvelous point in that in Christ, there is no ethnic, cultural or social distinction; each individual member is a loved and important part of the Whole. We all have roles to play, and gifts to share in the Body of Christ, and each is as important as the others. You created us all to be exactly what You intended us to be; fearfully and wonderfully made, and designed to offer the unique and precious gifts You’ve granted us for the benefit of Your Family.
It’s a very powerful lesson Lord, and one I know we could all stand to implement more effectively in our daily lives.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the wonderful people You’ve brought into our lives; each a unique, beautiful, and Blessed thread in our family’s fabric. Please help us see through any improperly perceived barriers between one another, and to reach out with our Spiritual Gifts to further the business of Your Eternal Kingdom.
In Jesus’ Name we pray,
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. 
This is wonderful! It is great how God can unite different folks through himself. Having Jesus in common is the glue that binds us together!:) I am thankful to know YOU through this bloggy world!:) Have a great day…
“Having Jesus in common is the glue that binds us together!” Love this Kelli!! Thank you!
I’m very happy to have connected with you as well… Such a Blessing!
Have a Blessed Day!
How important it is to love and cherish others for their unique qualities and to be thankful for family and friendships. Yes, in Christ, we are one, no matter how different we may seem on the surface; we are family!
God bless you, Phather Phil, and thank you for this post today! 🙂
Amen Martha… Well said! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I love how you always start your blog off with a prayer it is refreshing and also you never know who just might need that word today..for we all need prayer.
Thank you Desiray! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
How neat it is to look broadly upon all your friendships and treasure the diversity. What a gift! You and your wife must be wonderful friends as your warmth and love certainly comes through this blog too. I chuckled when you said happy Monday,,, Tuesday Lord. I think He smiled too.
Thank you so much Jean! We’re truly Blessed to have such an amazing variety of friends, each with their own special gifts. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
This world would be boring if we were all the same. I’m so thankful for the friends God has placed in my life too. They continually challenge and encourage me, even though we are so different. I love God’s variety in His creation.
It would indeed Lisa. Those relationships are placed into our path to do exactly that; challenge and encourage us in our journey.
Have a Blessed Day!
You have commented on my blog many times and first and foremost thank you for always having kind words and encouragement. Beyond that I am not sure why I never clicked on your name I usually do the very first time someone comments. I guess I was not meant to till tonight. What a wonderful site. I too had an idea like this that we could just write letters to God of thanks and even of need or confession. I never moved forward with it and just kind of do it in my own way on my blog. I am so thrilled to read your words and to see that there are others who communicate to God as I often do, through words, in our own format. I really look forward to reading along and catching up on some old posts! Nice to “meet” you and your family!
Thank you so very much Tara, and welcome!! I very much enjoy your writing, and am so thankful that you’ve come to visit me as well. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Amen!
🙂 I got a smile after reading your post yesterday Allison… Love it when God talks to us in groups!
Have a Blessed Day!
How boring it would be if we were all alike! I love those verses, he truly does have a word for every-thing and I’m grateful that thought to include friendship in the many blessings He provides. I hope you’re having a wonderful week Phil 🙂
It absolutely would Heidi. 🙂 We each fill a specific role in His plan, and it’s wonderful to discover those gifts. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Love the diversity of people. All Beautiful, precious children of God. Friends are such a blessing!
Amen Eileen! All unique, precious members of the same Family! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Beautifully written! Thank you for the encouragement! We don’t all have to look the same and do the same things to be about the Father’s work! It’s okay for the Holy Spirit within each one of us to lead in the direction He planned! And what a beautiful plan He has!!
Absolutely Lindsay! We were all made to be exactly as he desired us to be, and to share our uniqueness for the growth of His Kingdom.
Have a Blessed Day!