July 22, 2013

Just Passing Through

This blog is a little slice of our lives.
It's been a place to share my heart in both good times and bad.
It's been a place to share the love of the LORD and His Truth.
Recipes and funny moments and my journal of thanks 
have all been recorded here.
Snippets of the everyday have been treasured up.
  
Piece by piece.  Moment by moment.

Life is just like that...don't you think?
All jumbled up and mixed together and rolled into one.
The good and the bad and the humorous and the painful ~
The regular and the extraordinary. 
These are the things that make up our lives.

What a blessing it is that we do not know the future before it's given to us.
God is Gracious and meets us in the moments.
He walks before us.  He is Faithful.  He does all things well.

These last many weeks we have been thrown into a
new season ~ one in which Austin is only included in our memories.
We are making new ones without him.
We think in terms of before Austin died and after.
It's surreal.  It's difficult.  And, yet...life does go on.
As much as we would like life to stop and stand still awhile ~ It doesn't.  

Why doesn't it?  Why can't it?


It's a mercy, really.  

The way it works is designed by a Loving God.
He has orchestrated it to be so.  Yes, we live.  And, so does Austin.  
He lives in his eternal Home and we live here until the LORD takes us there.
Interesting how that is.  We are just passing through.  

Our Austin has arrived.  Ahead of us.

We will never forget him.
We think of him each and every day.
In fact, we think of him multiple times throughout the day.
He naturally comes up in conversation and in the quiet of our hearts.
We must continually remind ourselves that he is complete now.
His earthly pilgrimage has come to its close.

We are still on ours.

So, we must be faithful.  We must serve.
We must live and obey and follow.
Until that day when we are called Home.
Whenever that may be.

In the days to come, I will remember ~ Austin will be part of that.
He will make his way into posts ~ he is still part of our family.
In moving forward, we are not moving on.
We are just following ~ Austin has gone on ahead.
May we live in such a way as to complete our journey well.
May we be found following our Saviour each step of the way.
Wherever He may lead ~ just as our precious Austin did.

By HIS grace.  For HIS glory.  Alone.

With Love,
Camille


**Photo courtesy of my Uncle Gordon ~

Thank you SO much!  XO

10 comments:

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

What a precious photo. I loved your words. We measure time through loss. I know I do. It is before and after. I pray that God continues to carry your family through this terrible season of grief. Love,
Stacie

Hopes Handcrafts said...

What beautiful words, Camille. Just what I need to hear to encourage me on my journey through life. Some days I wish I have "gone on ahead" but know the Lord has a plan and purpose for me being here on earth and I need to remain, in faith, believing and trusting just as you do with Austin "gone on ahead"..

i'm not sure if that made sense but I just want to thank you for being you and real and honest. And strong and encouraging despite the pain and loss and anguish you must feel.

Thank you and the Lord bless you! May His Righteous right Hand keep you stayed under His Wing. {{hugs}} XO

Maryann said...

What you have said is so true, we must think of ourselves as travelers going through this life, this is not the destination...there is an eternal home waiting for us. Your Austin has gone on ahead, praying that the Lord will continue to carry you and your family during this very difficult time...much love and hugs

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Camille, a sweet post. The photos are wonderful to share of your day of Austin's memorial. It's helps us, your friends, through the bit of sadness we know from knowing you. Sad but glad you had Austin the years that you did. It is hard,but you are dealing the best way possible. One step at a time. Paul says in 1 Peter 5:10-11 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (RSV) Love and blessings, Becky

Trisha said...

Beautiful and encouraging, dear Camille. I'm so thankful for all that you share here. I love you, precious friend and continue to pray for you. (I'll never forget that you sent me a card on the year anniversary of my Dad's death. You remembered! What an impression that left on my heart. )

Farmgirl said...

A beautiful poignant reminder of God's nearness to us at all times. I pray you feel His loving arms around you now Camille.

little sis said...

So thankful for you.

Leanna

PippaDavies said...

Beautiful poetry Camille, straight from the heart! Austin's legacy lives on in the beautiful memories you have created and stored in your heart and it is a wonderful blessing that we will all be reunited one day in heaven. Thanks for the reminder to trust in faith and Jesus! He does command us to be obedient and that is hard when we miss in human strength. Praying that He will continue to give you strength and peace and comfort in all your ways. Many blessings Pippa.

Camille said...

Dear Stacie ~ Interesting how that works, don't you think? Yes, I find myself measuring time in that way. May the LORD continue to give you grace and strength my friend...HE is Faithful! Hugs. :)

Dear Julia ~ Yes, my friend...I do think I understand what you are trying to say. May the LORD help you as you go forward with HIM. He will lead and guide and give grace. Praise HIM! Hugs to you! :)

Dear Maryann ~ Thank you so much for praying! God is Good. Always. May HE be all you need...moment by moment in your own journey. HE is Faithful! Love and hugs. :)

Dear Becky ~ Thank you for sharing God's Word my friend...you bless my heart! Yes, truly...it is one step at a time. May HE lead and guide you and your family one step at a time as well. Hugs to you! :)

Dear Trisha ~ How precious it is to belong to our Great God's Wonderful Family! I am thankful for you. :)

Dear Heather ~ Thank you my friend...thank you! Love and hugs. :)

Dear Leanna ~ I am thankful for you! Hugs. :)

Dear Pippa ~ Oh, how wonderful the thought! Heaven is a precious blessing to look forward to. Thank you for your kind friendship...you bless my heart. :)

With love,
Camille

Intentional Living Homestead said...

Oh Camille...all I can do is weep still. I cannot even fathom your life these days. I myself try to hold on to ever precious moment these days. So very important to serve our God faithfully for who knows the time for which we are called home as well. Blessings sweet friend as you move on however slowly you need...know I'm praying.

Hugs,

Connie