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