Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!
Last week Lord, I had my annual eye exam as required by Delaware law to renew the prescription for my contact lenses. I’ve never been a huge fan of anyone poking around in my eyes, but since I switched to contacts a few years back I’ve become accustomed to the necessary ritual each autumn. This year’s visit however, yielded a bit of a surprise for me. When the examination had been completed, the doctor quietly informed me that she was going to have to write me a different prescription…
My eyesight has actually gotten stronger.
The doctor explained to me that it wasn’t uncommon for people’s eyesight to vary over the years, but I still feel there’s a parallel here that I shouldn’t ignore nonetheless. My eyesight began to degrade when I was seven years old, requiring me to wear glasses from second grade on. Since that time, I can’t remember even one eye exam where my vision has shown even a minute change for the better. I find it intriguing that while my earthly eyes have become stronger, at the same time I’m seeing Your presence all around me with ever increasing clarity as well.
As Toby Mac stated in the song “Lose My Soul”;
All eyes are on You Lord… All eyes are on You.
Thanks for the smile Father. 🙂
Picking up where I left off on last week’s Thankful Thursday list Lord, this week I’ve been especially grateful for:
331. The opportunity I received to minister to a friend in need this week.
332. A wonderful, inspiring evening’s discussion at this week’s Small Group Gathering : “Treasures of the Transformed Life”
333. A tasty Sunday after-church brunch trying a new recipe : Cinnamon Roll Pancakes.
334. Having a weekend with a good bit of “down-time”.
335. My thoughtful Administrative Assistant bringing me two big bags of Twizzlers for Boss’ Day.
336. The comfort of Your presence when life’s situations begin to overwhelm me.
337. A wonderful photowalk with Jonathan and Aidan in Blackbird State Forest last Sunday.
338. The convictions of the Holy Spirit helping me to focus and grow as You desire me to.
339. A powerful evening of music and worship at the John Waller concert last Thursday night.
340. A successful first attempt at making homemade calzones this week.
341. Seeing the Holy Spirit growing in my wife Shannon more and more each day.
342. An eye exam showing that my vision has actually improved slightly.
343. The opportunity to be a part of Someone Else’s Story.
344. Connecting with a wide range of inspiring people and organizations through Twitter.
345. The inspirations You place on my heart each day.
Heavenly Father,
We give thanks Dear Lord, for all the many Blessings You bestow on us each day; both those which boldly announce Your glory, and those that grace our lives in silence. Please open our eyes that we might recognize and praise You for the many gifts you bring to us, and open our hearts that we may share those overwhelming Blessings with those around us.
In Jesus’ Name we pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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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 also started wearing glasses at seven years old and my eyesight worsened every time I had an exam. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to have lasik surgery several years ago. After exactly twenty years in glasses and contacts, it is such a blessing to be able to see again. 🙂
Love your thankful list!
All eyes are on You…Amen! Love the list…pancakes and calzones, oh my!
Great list. Cinnamon roll pancakes sound tasty!
Congrats on the improved eyesight! Still waiting for that…still blind as a bat and been that way since 4th grade!
Your spiritual eyesight has improved and so has your physical eyesight. I love the correlation! Great list, Phil. Two big bags of Twizzlers sounds like a great gift to me. 😉
Great list, I especially like the cinnamon roll pancakes and twizzlers. made me hungry!
Your lists always make me realize things in my life to be grateful for too.
I have always worn glasses since I was a little girl I use to hate wearing them, but now that I have gotten older the doctor tells me my vision has improved so much that I only need them for is watching tv ..I never would of thought I would be able to go without glasses and I have to say I am loving it allot.
Wonderful thankful list, cinnamon roll pancakes sound amazing. I always make cinnamon rolls for my kids Sunday before church perhaps I will have to try the pancakes! What a wonderful change. Thank you for sharing.
Praise God for all of your blessings this week. How amazing that your sight improved! oh and I made calzones this week too 🙂
joy and blessings,
Alida
All eyes are on God–I love how your posts always focus our eyes on Him, Phil.
Have a very blessed weekend!
Pam
Thats awesome! Wonderful analogy and great list!:)
Wow, I would love to hear that my eyesight is improving! What a blessing! I always enjoy reading your blessing Phil!