Dear Lord; It seems almost ironic as I’ve been good and sick for the past week, but this morning I’d like to Thank You for my family’s health.
As you’re no doubt aware, we’ve suffered some very serious health issues over the years; Shannon’s multiple back surgeries and gastric bypass complications, Jonathan’s Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis nearly taking him from us and my Mother’s and Grandfather’s early deaths from cancer. And yet, through all of that we were Blessed in many ways that weren’t necessarily apparent at the time. Thinking back on all of those hardships in our lives, I’m now able to see true Blessings and Signs of Your Presence that have helped shape who we’ve become, and made us an even tighter family.
On the health front this year, we’ve actually done very well. Jonathan’s disease has stayed in remission and he’s been able to be a “normal kid” for the most part. Shannon had a brief back strain issue early in the year, but no permanent damage was incurred and she’s been fine since. Aidan, as always, is invulnerable. And as for me, other than a bout of Lyme disease and a couple respiratory bugs (like the one I’ve had this last week) I’ve been pretty solid. All in all, we’ve been extremely Blessed, and I very much Thank You for that.
Therefore Father, my Prayer of Thanksgiving today is focused on the mental and physical Health of Your Children. Please let those in need feel Your Healing Touch, and the comfort that comes from knowing Your Presence. Let us all have the vision to see past the hardships we go through, and experience Your Grace so we may know Peace. 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. 
Great prayer. God is so good and faithful. Even in those time we do get sick or bad things come about, we can still praise Him because we know that He is right by our side. When we hurt, He hurts.
Good morning Jenifer. Thank you, and I agree completely. As you well know from your experiences, when we’re going through hardships it’s sometimes very difficult to see through the pain of the moment and recognize the Blessings all around us. The ironic thing about that is sometimes when we feel him the least, in many cases he’s there for us the most. I was having a chat with my son Jonathan the other night, and we were discussing how we Hear God’s voice. He piped up and said “Oh, I hear God talking to me all the time.”… It was another one of those “light bulb” moments for me, as I knew that God had been there with him since the beginning, and although I had been blind to it at the time he was there all the same. Thank you for the comment and Have a Blessed Day!
It is so awesome that God speaks to the little ones too. So many people think that kids can not work for God and do not hear God. So untrue!! God speaks to children every day! God uses children every day! My daughter tells me all the time that God is speaking to her through things such as the rain or seeing a rainbow. I love it!
What a great prayer – we do need eyes to see past the hardships to His grace. He is always providing, always working things out. We just have to trust that He has a plan and His ways are better.
Thank you Lisa. I agree completely. I was having a conversation with a close friend this morning who’s going through some significant financial hardships. He was allowing the “If there is a God, why is he allowing this?” to get into his head, and not able to see past it to the bigger picture. We talked about the Greater Plan, and seeing past our problems to recognize our true Blessings in life. We all fall into that trap now and again, but it’s vital to realize that He’s always with us and that everything happens for a reason, whether or not we see it. Thanks again for the comment!
We also need to remember that this world is not our home. Our goal shouldn’t be to be comfortable here. Our eternal reward is waiting for us in Heaven. There we will be free from sorrows and pain. That’s where our ultimate healing and victory will take place. Until then, we are to be SON reflectors and shine brightly for our God.
Well said Lisa. Thank you!
Thank you for this one. Counting our blessings with THANKSGIVING!
Mother Nanhi & Father Leslie, Better N Better Ministries, Philly PA