Dear Lord; Good morning Father.
Today Lord, I was having difficulty deciding how to “frame” our conversation. This morning brought along with the dawn a seemingly continuous stream of headaches, problems and complications which made it very difficult for me to focus on Your Voice through the “noise”. I started writing several times, but always ended up clearing it from my screen because it just felt wrong. Instead of forcing the issue, I decided to leave myself open to You as best I could, and work through the day’s labors until we could connect up properly.
Well Father… I’m here now.
It’s terribly disconcerting to me when I get to the point where I can’t focus enough to have our morning discussion. I’m dependent on You Lord, and when earthly influences overwhelm me to the point of not being able to concentrate on You, it’s upsetting to say the least. I felt lost, and embattled. For my human frailties Lord, I apologize and thank You for being ever faithful to me during my moments of weakness.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Thank You for Your Comfort and Strength Father, and Your Unwavering Dedication to Your Children. We are truly Blessed.
Now Lord, if I may, I’d like to shift the subject.
As I mentioned yesterday, over the weekend I got a chance to head out with Jonathan and Aidan to Blackbird State Forest for a photowalk in the woods. It wasn’t overly cold per-se, but the wind was in upwards of 40mph, providing a stark reminder that while the temperature was up a bit we were still in the grips of winter. I hadn’t been there during this time of year before, and it was a truly different place with the foliage stripped from the trees and bushes. The veil of green we were accustomed to seeing was cast aside, and had been replaced by a vast sea of towering gray trunks reaching into the sky.
Life seemed to have packed up and left for warmer climates.
And yet, as we walked through the silent, barren trails we were greeted with some signs of rebirth. Through the carpet of fallen leaves and pine needles poked streaks of color; tufts of early grasses and fungi protected by and feeding on the remains of the previous year’s abundance. Like our spirits journeying to Your Light Lord, the forest was quietly feeding and nourishing the life it held hidden beneath the surface.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, that walk opened my heart to the transitions You’re making in my life. I pray that You continue to feed my hunger for Your Presence, and nourish my imperfect and yearning spirit so that my human failings are no further impediment to Your Plan for me. 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. 
Love this… ” Like our spirits journeying to Your Light Lord, the forest was quietly feeding and nourishing the life it held hidden beneath the surface.” I’ve had that verse in Ecclesiastes on my heart lately too as it relates to my own life… it applies well to all change that we encounter. I love that He included those words to help us transition through life. Have a blessed day!
Thank you Heidi! Transition has been on my heart a lot as of late too, and that passage summarizes it so well.
Have a Blessed Day!
I like this – “I pray that You continue to feed my hunger for Your Presence, and nourish my imperfect and yearning spirit so that my human failings are no further impediment to Your Plan for me.” I don’t want to get in the way of what God wants to do in and through me. God is doing a new thing!
I try very much to “get out of His way” Lisa, but sometimes the noise of life blocks my lines of communication. Thankfully, He is truly faithful and there when I get myself straight again.
Have a Blessed Day!
Love that scripture in Ecclesiastes! As you and Heidi, I’ve thought about this scripture too. We are going through changes..I dislike changes..but when it is God doing a work in us, it is GOOD! Thanks for this prayer and blessings!
Change is complicated sometimes, isn’t it… I’m trying to look at all the chaos around me as just part of His Transition for me, but sometimes it can be clouded. That verse always helps me refocus on things!
Have a Blessed Day Jenifer!
I also find it disheartening to be battered and swayed by the world and satan and not get my time in with Him. It can be so frustrating….but when I get into His Word it is like a balm to my soul…
It was frustrating Allison, but He is ever-faithful and never left my side. Such a wondrous Father!
Have a Blessed Day!
I am really glad we took that walk… It also means I get more time with you.
I am too kiddo… I value time with you and your brother more than you’ll ever realize. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I love that verse in Isaiah. He is always with us…even when the noise of life gets in the way. So thankful for a God who is patient with us and waits for us!
PS And your son’s comment put a smile on my face!
Thank you Eileen. I love that verse as well!
And yes, it made me smile as well. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I love the intimacy and honesty of your prayers, Phil. Just think how rewriting them like you mention in the first paragraph leads you deeper. There is power to writing these out, ins’t there?
Thank you Jean! It absolutely does immerse me in His Presence when I write these emails to Him… Quite often, I learn more writing then than I had from the experience I’m writing about!
Have a Blessed Day!