May 15, 2014

My Plans

I had my life all planned out.  Sorted out.  Figured out.
My plans were of the neat and tidy variety.

A husband.  A home.  A family.  A perfect life.

I expected that we'd live out our days with each of
our children and their families nearby.  We'd keep in close contact.
Everyone would be healthy and happy and thriving.
Always and forever until the day I died.  When I was old.

Those were my plans.
I never expected them not to be God's.
However, they weren't.  His plans were different.
Isn't it this way for all of us?  At some point ~
We all experience disappointment and sorrow.

None of us is immune ~

We all must give up our idea of perfection. 

For our family, it came in the form of sickness and death.

The first funeral that our children attended for a family member 
was not for a grandparent or an elderly aunt or uncle.
It was for their oldest brother.  He was eighteen.

All his grandparents are still with us and he is not.




I didn't write this story.  Our story.


I wouldn't have written it this way.  But, God did.

And, His ways are perfect.  And, His ways are best.  Always and forever.
Though the path is sometimes more difficult than we ever could have imagined.
Though the way may twist and turn and be hard and rocky and sorrowful.
It is good.  Because He is in it with us.  Each step of the way.

And, He turns our mourning into joy.


Joy that lasts is not found in things.  In circumstances.  In people.

Lasting joy is found in our Saviour.  Only in Him.
No matter what happens around us, or to us, we can rejoice.
Because of the hope we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.  
Because of the hope of heaven and eternity with Him.

We are able to find joy in the midst of sorrow.

To rest in His perfect plans ~ His perfect ways.
These sorrows have been necessary to wean us from this world.
They are necessary to prepare us for the real living that is yet to come.
And, while He has us here, we seek to follow our Lord wherever He may lead.

So, though this is not the path we would have chosen,

it is the path we must tread.  By His grace.  For His glory.  In His strength.
Because He is worthy.  And, we belong to Him.  Always and forever.

Many Blessings,

Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of my Uncle Gordon ~

Thank you so very much!  XO

16 comments:

Debbie Harris said...

Bless your dear heart Camille,

This was a lovely post reflecting our God who is in control of all things. His ways are worthy to be praised, for He knows best.

Yes, the path that is set before us must be walked by His grace, for His glory, in His strength, because, He is worthy! Well said Camille.

Joy to you! Debbie

Anonymous said...

Camille,
None of us know how the end of our story will end. So glad that though it often is not the story we would have written.....God knew all along. Nothing surprises Him. Thanks for the reminders you give. What a sweet testimony you have shown as you live your story and let us all have a peek into what the Lord has done for you and through you! God bless you friend!

Pam said...

Blessings and Joy to you Camille. You are a precious
example of His light, and of overcoming through His blood and your testimony.

Patrinas Pencil said...

In His hands for eternity. May The River of Life continue to flow from the sanctuary of God...through your precious family ...in your home. May it continue to splash upon all those around you. Thank you for sharing your vulnerable testimony of God's Love and Grace...even through the difficult times of our lives.

Blessings to you and yours
patrina <")>><

Lisa said...

You are forever in our prayers, my friend! Love you and your family so much!! Our lives never seem to turn out how we thought they would...ours definitely didn't, but I'm so grateful for a God who never abandons us, even when we walk through the darkest of nights. You have taught me so much about this. Your words have been such a blessing! xoxo

Heather said...

Always lifting you up, dear friend. Wise words that reach beyond the grief to questioning hearts. He continues to use you in amazing ways.

OurCrazyFarm said...

Sending a {Hug} and a prayer:) ~Terri

Camille said...

Christa said ~ Hi Camille, Thank you for sharing your heart on this. It is amazing how I thought the same as you and many others, wanting family together, thinking life is going to be a certain way, and then the Lord lovingly shows me that my life belongs to Him, for Him to accomplish His will, in His timing and in His way. I can rest in Him knowing that everything He does is good. I'm learning so much these days, through different avenues, different then ones He has you on, but we are all being sanctified toward the same goal, Christ.
Thank you for being such a godly example of faithfulness in hard times.
Resting in Him...Christa

Ann at eightacresofeden said...

This post and what you have shared Camille reminds me of the verse in Proverbs 16. 'A man's heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.' The Lord has always taken me in the right direction and brought me onto the right path. When it has been rocky He has held my hand. When I have stumbled He has picked me up. I love the name of Steven Curtis Chapman's album 'The Glorious Unfolding' It just reminds me that God's plan for my life is just that.... a glorious unfolding. I'm just amazed by God's overwhelming generosity.... some of my plans were too small, like having my neat little white cottage with a neat little family. He gave me a big white (notice I left neat out of the description!) house with a big family and the double blessing of twins! Thank you for continuing to share your story and reminding us that whatever happens, wherever our steps are directed, the destination for us as believers is heaven, family reunions and spending eternity in the presence of our Lord. Yes, oh yes, to live is Christ, to die is gain!

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

Thinking of you... with love and prayers..always!

Camille said...

Dear Debbie ~ Thank you for your sweet encouragement here...what a blessing it is to belong to the Family of our Great God! :)

Dear Nikki ~ Your words are so true...none of us knows! How precious it is to rest in the fact that our Great God does! Hugs to you. :)

Dear Pam ~ You are a sweet encouragement to my heart. The Lord truly is Good! :)

Dear Patrina ~ It's lovely to hear from you...thank you for always encouraging me to look to the Lord as the source of all comfort. He alone is worthy of all our praise. Hugs to you. :)

Dear Lisa ~ I marvel when I think of your story...the one the Lord wrote for you! How precious it is to know that we are in His Loving Hands and that He is Faithful when we are not. Love you, too! :)

Dear Heather ~ You are always such a sweet encouragement to my heart my friend...thank you! Hugs to you. :)

Dear Terri ~ It means so much that you do! Hugs and prayers are sent your way as well. :)

Dear Christa ~ How wonderful it was to see your precious note here my sweet friend! I am sorry that you are walking a hard path...I am praying for you today. But, you are right...the Lord is working out His purposes through it all. Hugs across the miles to you. :)

Dear Ann ~ Thank you for graciously encouraging me to continue to share this journey the Lord has us on...you are a blessing to my heart! Yes, the Lord is so very, very good and His ways are best. I like that...the glorious unfolding! Love and hugs to you all my friend. :)

Dear Bevy ~ You are a sweet blessing to my heart. Thank you so much for praying!! :)

With love,
Camille

Jill said...

Always in my thoughts and prayers.... hugs and best wishes always.

Sincerely,
Jill

Dianna said...

"Joy that lasts is not found in things. In circumstances. In people.
Lasting joy is found in our Saviour. Only in Him."...Love those words of truth you've shared here, Camille.

I still pray for you and your sweet family concerning God's plan for Austin...we know it was His plan and rejoice for Austin. I also realize that his passing on to Glory leaves a hole in your family circle.

Your family has been such a testimony before others what it is to truly put your trust in Him...and the joy that comes from doing so.

Hugs to you, my friend!
Dianna

Camille said...

Dear Jill ~ Thank you so much my friend. I am remembering you in prayer as you go through this move. Hugs to you. :)

Dear Dianna ~ Thank you so much for praying for us...it's such a blessing. The only way forward is with the Lord...He is just so gracious to us. Hugs to you, too! :)

With love,
Camille

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

I love that you wrote on his coffin, Camille. That is precious indeed :)

Camille said...

Dear Jackie ~ It was a lovely visual on the day of the grave-side ceremony since we had viewed our Austin the day before. I was so thankful for the fact that we were able to do that...God is truly so gracious to us. Love, Camille