March 11, 2013

It's a Puzzle ~ An Update

This Crohn's thing ~ It's a puzzle.
Just when things seem to be coming together and making sense, 
something else comes along to throw a wrench in the mix.
It surely has brought me to the end of myself.
It's also been used of the Lord to show me my heart.

What am I trusting in?  Really.

Very often, I am ashamed to admit,
it's a method, a diet, a supplement, a medicine ~
All these things rather than in the Great Physician.
He alone has all the answers.

When we come to the end of ourselves,
we begin to see HIM.  Really.  See.
His provision.  His sufficiency.  His perfect plan.
Surrendering to Him is always best.
It's necessary.  It's good.

And, it's a relief.

We don't have to have all the answers.
We just need to turn to the One Who does.
He is faithful.  He leads and guides.  He directs.

How Great HE is!



At the end of it all, all that really matters 
is where we stand with God.
And, where our soul will be for all eternity.
And, whether our sins are all forgiven.  Or not.
And, if they are, we can rejoice.  Truly.  In HIM.
In His provision of Grace.  His Mercy.  His Truth.

What He has done.


Austin seems to be doing quite well heart-wise.

We continually are thankful for this provision ~ 
the Lord is to be praised.
Yes, He is.  And, we do praise Him for these mercies.
We thank Him for the time He has granted.  

It is precious.


On the Crohn's front, however, 

Austin has not been doing very well.
Obviously, the heart is of utmost importance.
It's been a focus, medically speaking, for quite some time.
Now that it seems to be stable, 
 Crohn's has shifted into a position of prominence.
And, here we are at a crossroads again.

Each day.  Each step.  The LORD is Faithful.
We look to Him for the help, strength, wisdom,
and grace in the midst of it all.
We pray that the means which He provides will 
work in Austin's body to promote healing.

If that does not come,

we must remind ourselves of the Truths we hold dear.
This life is not all there is.
Health and strength this side of eternity is not all that matters.
Relief from pain and suffering is not always best.
Yes, we look for it.  But, if it is not granted ~

HE is still Good.


God knows what is best.
Whatever that may be, is what we desire.
By His grace.  For His glory.  Alone.

There is more to life than the here and now.  

That *more* will not be fully realised until eternity.
May God give us all the ability to live our lives
in light of this wonderful Truth.
And, may we patiently wait for His timing in all things.

HE truly does all things well.


Many Blessings,
Camille


**Image in this post courtesy of Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO


23 comments:

Trisha said...

I hear you, my friend, and I'm praying for you in the midst of this struggle. Having Crohn's myself and having battled some nasty times, my heart especially aches for Austin and for you and your family. We continue to pray for peace and healing and contentment and for all of you to shine brightly with the light of Christ. I love you.

Intentional Living Homestead said...

P.R.A.Y.I.N.G.

Lisa said...

What a beautiful post, Camille! Grateful to hear Austin's heart is still doing well :) We will keep praying for him, and pray that the Lord will lead you to find the answers you need.

I too, so often have to step back in the hard times and ask myself, "what am I really trusting in?" Thank you for this reminder. It is all too easy to lean on our understanding at times :)

Hope you have a great week!
Much love!

American Home said...

You are in our prayers.

Taylor Wise said...

Praying for Austin and praying for you, Camille. Much love!

Camille said...

Dear Trisha ~ How precious your friendship is, and how encouraging your words are my sweet friend. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for praying! Love you, too. :)

Dear Connie ~ Thank you SO much my friend! What a blessing you are to me. :)

Dear Lisa ~ I so appreciate your prayers for us my friend...they are such a blessing! God is Good, and His ways are best...what a precious thing it is to rest in Him! :)

Dear Donna ~ Thank you so much, my sweet friend! You bless my heart. :)

Dear Taylor ~ How precious it is to know that God's people are praying...thank you so much, my friend! May the LORD bless you and your family as well. :)

With Love,
Camille

Unknown said...

Oh dear friend, it is that coming to the end of ourselves that is so necessary for us to really see Him. He is our provider, our healer, Lord of lords and King of kings. He alone is WAY beyond enough for everything that we face in this life.

We are praying!

Make a Joyful Noise all ye Lands said...

Dear Camille,
Our family will continue to pray for your son Austin.
Your post is beautiful. Yes, Surrendering to Him is always best but is not always easy.
Love,
Virginia

Camille said...

Dear Jenn ~ Thank you for lifting us up in prayer my friend! I am thankful for you! And, yes...the LORD is Sufficient...always. :)

Dear Virginia ~ Thank you so much my friend...what a blessing it is to know that you are praying! May the LORD continually meet all your family's needs as well. HE is Good! :)

With Love,
Camille

Patty said...

Praying ~ may God's mighty arms surround you all.

Wanting What I Have said...

My sweet, sweet friend. It humbled me to read your words. Such truth. Lived out at such cost. We are praying for all of you. We love you!

Cinnamon said...

Catching up with you this evening.

Your heart shines here through your thoughts and emotions.You are always so encouraging and turning to God for all your needs.

I too can find myself relying on "things" and am always so thankful that I do know a living GOD, my GOD, that watches, cares and guides my every step.

So glad that God is caring for your Austin and guiding you all right now.

Praying you will find the answers you seek.

~Cinnamon

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Dear friend, praying for Austin and for you all. Thanks for the reminder of what's really important in life. I've been sick, had some chest xrays and now am facing a CT scan, since 2 xrays didn't rule out anything. It's a concern but I am leaning on God's wisdom and understanding for me to get through this big swell on the ocean that's coming to the shore. Sigh!

Maryann said...

This post hit a note for me, because I have found myself in this position many times. Trusting God but then finding my self getting frustrated when treatment plans don't going according to my plan...so where am I really putting my trust.
A sweet reminder for me this morning, that I don't need to have all the answers, just trust the one who does

Camille said...

Dear Patty ~ Thank you, my kind friend! :)

Dear Jennifer ~ Thank you so much for praying, sweet friend. :)

Dear Cinnamon ~ I appreciate your kinds words and your prayers, my friend...thank you! Yes, God is Good...always. :)

Dear Becky ~ I'm sorry you are facing some health concerns my friend...I am praying for you tonight. The LORD hears and He promises never to leave you or forsake you. Keep your eyes fixed! :)

Dear Maryann ~ I know you understand these things first hand my friend...hang in there! I am praying for you, too. :)

With Love,
Camille

Terri said...

I love that "we don't have to have all the answers, we just need to turn to the One Who does!"

Miss and Love you. Will pray for Austin.

Love, Terri

Camille said...

Dear Terri ~ How precious it is to know that the LORD hears and answers! Thank you so much for praying, my sweet friend!

Love you!
Camille

PippaDavies said...

Hi Camille
I am sorry to hear that Austin is not doing so well with his Crohns. I know how well he was doing, and now another blip again. I am praying that the Lord will heal him as he has done in the past and, that he will be able to enjoy full health again very soon! Trusting that you are taking a break too to just be and relax with the kids:) Thinking of you! Hugs Pippa

Camille said...

Dear Pippa ~ Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! It is wonderful to know that truly, our times are in HIS hands!!

Hugs to you!
Camille

Farmgirl said...

Thank you for writing from your heart - your beautiful, tender, mother-heart.
God is faithful Camille!
Love you!

Camille said...

Dear Heather ~ How lovely it is to hear from you, my friend! Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement. Yes, God truly is Good. Always. May HE bless you and your family this day.

With Love,
Camille

TRUTH SHARER said...

I'm not sure if I knew about the Crohn's disease before - but just wanted to share something that a friend did when her husband was diagnosed with Melanoma cancer and was not given very good odds. She said for awhile the cancer was 'front and center' taking up all their attention and all their focus. One day as she was reading Scripture [Revelation 4&5] - she realized that God was still on His Throne and still Sovereign and still in control of their lives and that of her husband. She went home that night and talked to Him about it and read the Scripture to him aloud. That night her husband kicked the 'cancer' off the throne of their lives and put Jesus back as 'front and center' where He belonged. She said from that day forward the cancer remained on the outside of the wheel of life around the perimeter where God was in charge of their lives - like spokes on a wheel - He was spinning it all the circumstances of life in balance to what He was doing for their good and for His glory.

I know how committed you are to the LORD and His will and ways.

But as you penned these words here:
On the Crohn's front, however,
"Austin has not been doing very well.
Obviously, the heart is of utmost importance.
It's been a focus for quite some time.
Now that it seems to be stable,
Crohn's has moved to front and centre.
And, here we are at a crossroads again."

I would just encourage you to read Revelation 4 & 5 as a family together aloud and see, hear, taste, touch and feel the Throne Room of God and once again I know without a doubt that your heart and Austin's will be right where it needs to be - depending on the God who is on the Throne of your lives!
Don't let satan steal that place through any circumstances of your lives. He doesn't have that right when you and yours are children of the Most High God! ONLY GOD belongs front and center. I know you know that - but sometimes it might just take a little reminder when things get overwhelming!

You finished with surrendering is always best... and it does bring relief! We'd go crazy trying to juggle all that is in our lives. So glad God has a bigger view of it all!

Be blessed my sister! [[HUGS]] for you and your Austin and your entire family who have blessed me so much in your prayers for me!

Choosing GREAT JOY,
Stephanie
Psalm 126

Camille said...

Dear Stephanie ~ Thank you so much for taking the time to encourage my heart and to point me to our Loving Heavenly Father and His Word! I do appreciate you pointing out the use of the words *front and centre* to me...you are right, nothing but our Precious Saviour deserves that place. May the LORD continually be the focus of our hearts and minds, and may HE be praised through our lives.

Many Blessings to you!
Camille