Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!
Yesterday morning, I hit the wall Father. The cumulative weight of many insomnia-driven nights had finally exacted its penance on me. And when the alarm abruptly announced it was time for me to awaken for our time together, for the first time in a great long while Lord, I shut it off and laid back down.
An hour or so later the alarm once again fulfilled its mission, brutally reminding me of the day that lie ahead. Caving in to its insistent call, I pulled myself from beneath the covers. As I sat on the side of the bed desperately attempting to shake the cobwebs loose from my resistant mind, the loss of my “Still time” in Your presence sat uneasily in my heart…
I count on that time…
I look forward to it…
And yet, today I’d missed it.
Determined to refresh my spirit, I reached for my daily bread; the daily devotional message I read each morning from my Stand Firm men’s magazine. This attempt however, also proved fruitless as I realized that a new month had begun, and my February edition was nowhere to be found.
“Wow…” I thought. “I’m really not doing very well for You today Father…”
As my failings of the morning took deeper root, my weariness took on new life.
And then my mobile phone lit up.
“Hmm… No one texts me at this hour… This can’t be good.” I thought.
Resolved to more of the morning’s direction, I begrudgingly picked up the phone and read the message…
“Good morning. You came to my mind, so I prayed for you and your family. Just wanted to let you know that. :-)”
And in a single moment Father, my day changed.
I’d overslept…
I’d missed my Scripture time…
I’d misplaced my devotional…
And yet,
You found a way Lord,
To remind me that You love me,
Through the heart of a friend.
Thank You. 🙂
Continuing to count my Blessings on this sunny Thankful Thursday Father, this week I’ve been especially grateful for:
541. An upcoming visit from some dear friends.
542. Some beautiful unseasonal, spring-like weather this week.
543. Getting to catch up a little with a friend I haven’t seen in a while today.
544. The honor of being asked to pray for someone in need.
545. “Remote Control” software that allows me to service computers anywhere.
546. A wonderful surprise gift of a Jason Gray CD, containing the song “Remind Me Who I Am”.
547. A wonderful, long walk in Blackbird State Forest this past Sunday with my two boys.
548. Finally getting to watch the movie “Courageous” with friends this past Saturday.
549. Getting to “Sit in” on a worship practice today.
550. The most powerful act of love in history.
551. That a good friend of our family is experiencing the relief of Your healing following some serious health problems.
552. The opportunity to assist another church with their web presence.
553. Text messaging on my phone that helps keep me connected to those I care about.
554. Chicken Cordon Bleu, shared with friends.
555. Seeing Your hand at work in my relationships with others.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord, for all the many Blessings You bring to our lives each and every day; both those that boldly reveal Your presence, and those that grace us in the silence.
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. 
Your entire list is wonderful! So much to be thankful for!
In those sleepless nights, it can be so hard to get up in the morning to spend time with God. But time with God is so worth it!
I am so touched by this post today, Phil, in both your story and in the things you are thankful for. Isn’t it amazingly beautiful how God speaks to us when we are down in the dumps, fatigued, or when we feel, as you did here, we have let Him down?
A text message full of love . . .
Speaking to you through a friend.
What a blessing!
May God continue to bless you and carry you in the palm of His hand!
I love how God goes out of His way to remind us how much He loves us. His timing is always perfect. And when we start to feel like we are unworthy of His Great Love, He sends someone or something to remind us once again.
I absolutely love your list this week, Phil. 😉
Many blessings Dear Friend!
Phil, I love when God uses a friend to remind us how much he loves us! They seem insignificant to others but for us they are HUGE!
Love the thought. A lot of times life can get in the way if we let it. Great reminder. And again, thank you so much for your prayers for my daughter. She has laughed and played all day. God bless!
You have such a heart for God, Phil. So sorry you are struggling with the insomnia. Praying for you to get a good night’s sleep tonight.
What a wonderful gift God sent you through your friend’s text. I love how God meets us right where we are, just when we need it.
Blessings!
Pam
Heart warming post.
What a neat story. I too had trouble waking up yesterday. Some days the fog is really thick but God is still there. Love your Thursday lists too
He will never let us down. His love is abundant! Your post brings to mind Lamentations 3:22-23—
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
I lose my Daily Bread booklet quite a bit, so I have bookmarked the Daily Bread page, which takes me straight to today’s reading. You can read it, yourself or enjoy a cup of coffee as Les, the commentator, reads it to you. I love it and I never look for my booklet over a couple of minutes: http://odb.org
Oh, the wonders, grace and mercy of our Lord will never cease to amaze me and fill me with thankfulness and a heart full of love! Blessings, Phather Phil!! Be blessed!