My Son's Ministrations

Dear Lord,

As You know, my two-year-old son dropped a step stool on my foot today, and I sat for some time with an ice pack on it.  He was so cute as he came up to check out what was going on, commenting on how soft it was (one of those with a cover), and that, “Mommy got hurt.”  As he petted the ice pack, drove his truck over it, and commented that he needed one, too, I found it amusing to consider being the subject (victim…) of his ministrations one day.

He was very sweet about it, and claimed that I also needed a bandaid.  It’s been interesting trying to teach him when certain things are needed and when they’re not.  It is fun to see when he grasps new concepts, but some have not yet taken hold.  I enjoyed talking with him today about me getting hurt, and about what is an appropriate ministration, and what not.  I do wonder if and when he might take care of me in the future, and I pray not only that he would have a much better concept then of what to do, but that I would be a “good patient” and reflection of your glory.

Thank You for my son’s “ministrations” today, and for the reminder they were of when I played doctor with my great-grandmother.  She was most certainly a good patient of my “ministrations!”

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Ice Packs

Dear Lord,

After my two-year-old son dropped a step stool on my virtually bare foot this morning, I was most certainly thankful for ice packs.  The cold slashed the pain to nothing when I kept my foot still, and made it a bit easier to limp around.  Not to mention the fact that it kept the swelling down.  I am thankful for the basic knowledge to use an ice pack.  A lovely bruise is forming, and I’m not quite certain of the extent of the damage, but I’m thankful that nothing seems to be broken, and that the pain seems to be somewhat minimal.

Thank You, Lord, for Your care.  I know that You allowed it to happen, and, for that reason, I can be thankful for it.  It helps that it wasn’t horrendously painful (if more than I’ve had for awhile).  I had unshed tears from the initial drop, and it was a bit hard not to cry.  Yet even so, I knew You were in control.  I know that the greater the pain - whether emotional or physical - the harder it can be to keep that perspective.  I thank You that You are training me in that direction, because life is so much more joyful when You are my focus.  Thank You for Your love, Lord.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

My Portion

Lamentations 3:24

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”

Dear Lord,

I have seen this phrase in a few places in Scripture:  “The Lord is my portion.”  I have considered its meaning, and while I am not certain of its whole meaning, I know what it means to me.  You have been given to me - or more precisely, You have given Yourself to me.  Not in the sense that I am Your master, by any means, but in the sense that not only do You love me, but You have given me Yourself to draw upon to be my strength, my shield, my Savior, and my friend.  You are everything.

You are my portion.  You are all that I could ever need, because You will use any and all of Your resources (that thought sends me into awe!) on my behalf.  You are always working to conform me to the image of Your Son, and that I might shine Your glory.  We so often seem to think that being conformed to the image of Your Son is “no fun.”  How wrong is the thought!  Every moment spent with You is a moment of Joy!  To be the recipient of Your love is a delight and peace beyond words.  

I pray that You would keep me in the perspective of You as my portion.  That thought still makes me shiver.  How vast must be my portion!  Beyond imagining.  I think the most awesome thing about it is that You do this for each of Your children.  You are not “thinned” by lavishing Your love; You are boundless, limitless, and Your resources are infinite.  You. Are. Amazing!  And I beam with delight as I love You.  Thank You, Lord!

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Finding a Doctor

Dear Lord,

Thank You that I finally found a doctor who will take my insurance.  I knew You were in control during the search, but I must admit, I was getting a bit discouraged after having called nearly ten different doctors listed on my insurance website who did not, in fact, take it.  Thank You that You are in control.  Thank You, too, that the doctor is also one who has a good reputation.  That’s always comforting to know.

I praise You that You always take care of me with my good (to be conformed to Your image) and Your glory in mind. (Romans 8:28-31)  Thank You for Your goodness.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

"How Great Thou Art"

“O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
I see the starts, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed…

“Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.”

Lord, I thank You for this hymn, because I find myself praying it sometimes.  “When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.”  At night “I see the stars” and sometimes this song just seems to sum it up so well - how great Thou art!

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Email

Dear Lord,

It’s strange to think that I haven’t written a thankful thing on email, yet.  It’s certainly something that I use every day.  Thank You for the ability to write my thoughts down, edit it however many times I want to, and then send it off for the person to receive in his or her inbox immediately.  You know that I struggle with expressing my thoughts verbally, but writing seems to be the best way to organize my thoughts.  I am very thankful for that ability.

Honestly, though, I’m most thankful because it’s just easy.  Part of that ease comes from the above, and the fact that I find it easier to communicate when the person isn’t right in front of me (something that I think You are continuing to work on in me).  Yet I can also use it as a sort of to-do list of reminders from people, I can access it whenever I want, wherever I want (thank You for my iPhone!), and reply whenever I want.  Not to mention, I can communicate with an entire group of people who can respond in kind and keep everyone apprised.  It’s just easy!

Thank You, Lord, for email, and that it makes it easier for me to communicate.  Sometimes I feel as though I have a communication handicap, and email makes it easier to break through that.  Help me to focus on You throughout the day, until You permeate all my communication.  May my communication bring You glory.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Picnics

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the ability to go outside and have a picnic with my little family.  It’s so nice to get out into Your creation, and You orchestrated just the perfect weather for it today!  Our impromptu picnic in the front yard was both fun and peaceful.  Little Man enjoyed himself as he played with pill bugs, sticks, flowers, and just generally explored.  My husband and I enjoyed lying on the blanket beside each other to gaze up at the tree - and at our romping two-and-a-half-year-old.  Thank You for the peace that Your creation practically exudes.

Thank You that we can draw our peace from You, knowing that You “…cause all things to work together for good to those who love [You], to those who are called according to [Your] purpose.  For those whom [You] foreknew, [You] also predestined to become conformed to the image of [Your] Son…”

Thank You for Your care, Lord, and thank You for picnics!

In Jesus’ Name, amen.