As there are seasons in each year, there are seasons in life. Some seasons are full of joy, triumph, and rejoicing. Other seasons may have pain, hurt, loss, and heartbreak. One of the MANY things I've learned is that seasons change constantly and as they change, you change. The season I'm in is one that I am so very thankful for. It's hard, but I've experienced harder. This season has brought significant change for our family as we welcomed Stella Grace into the world. This step back into the baby world has been interesting. I'm 8 years older since the twins were babies and I hope (maybe) 8 years wiser. In those early years of raising twins, we were in survival mode and I feel like I barely had time to appreciate the gift that they were. I look back and think I wish I would have stopped more and embraced the chaos that was our life at that time. Fast forward to 2014 when Campbell was diagnosed, I made a vow to God that I would cherish each moment I have with my children. For they are a precious gift and we never know how long we may have them. When we lost Campbell, I renewed that vow to be grateful for the gifts I have and not to take the time I have with them for granted. When Stella Grace entered the world, we were overwhelmed by God's goodness in bringing so much joy in the form of a sweet blessing that 3 years ago wasn't even a thought! I find myself quoting my favorite verse quite frequently as we prepared for her arrival and now as I look at her playing or those nights rocking her to sleep, the Lord lays a favorite verse on my heart reminding me of His goodness and grace: "For weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5.
This season has also brought us the gut wrenching reality of parenting a child that has lost their best friend, their brother. We are discovering that you can't contain her grief and she is struggling as much as we are to live in this world without Campbell. I'm learning that it's okay to not have all the answers and sometimes you can tell them you don't know and wish you did. There is no guidebook to guide her through this, but being present and having those hard conversations and sometimes just sitting and crying is okay. This season is hard, but I know it won't last forever, but I want to guide her and help her as she navigates these hard times. Being present and spending time with her answering those uncomfortable questions and pointing her to the One who sees the bigger picture is the best I can do.
This season is a sweet blessing and as I'm learning and growing, God is also showing me places where I need to let go and just be. One of those is in being the Editor of Inspiration Mississippi. I am so grateful to Kendall for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this group of women and the work they are doing. I've been able to meet so many wonderful people that in the different seasons of their lives, they have made an impact and are making an impact on so many people. I am thankful to God for the gifts He has given me and I want to enjoy each one He has given me for however long I am here. So, it's time for me to take a step back and just "be" with my family. One of the biggest things God taught me through Campbell's suffering and death is about His sovereignty and also that my children are not my own. They are only given to me for a little while until the Father calls them home. My most important job as their parent is to point them to Him. I pray I did that with Campbell and I pray that I'm doing that with Avery and Stella Grace.
In this season of life and this week of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for so many things. I'm thankful for the new life that God gave us this year and I'm thankful for the beautiful life of a little boy that was only here for a short time, but changed me for the better. He taught me about what's important in life and and to never take my eyes off the end purpose in life...to live a life that when I join my Savior and my son in heaven, my Heavenly Father will say, "well done my good and faithful servant."
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26
This season has also brought us the gut wrenching reality of parenting a child that has lost their best friend, their brother. We are discovering that you can't contain her grief and she is struggling as much as we are to live in this world without Campbell. I'm learning that it's okay to not have all the answers and sometimes you can tell them you don't know and wish you did. There is no guidebook to guide her through this, but being present and having those hard conversations and sometimes just sitting and crying is okay. This season is hard, but I know it won't last forever, but I want to guide her and help her as she navigates these hard times. Being present and spending time with her answering those uncomfortable questions and pointing her to the One who sees the bigger picture is the best I can do.
This season is a sweet blessing and as I'm learning and growing, God is also showing me places where I need to let go and just be. One of those is in being the Editor of Inspiration Mississippi. I am so grateful to Kendall for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this group of women and the work they are doing. I've been able to meet so many wonderful people that in the different seasons of their lives, they have made an impact and are making an impact on so many people. I am thankful to God for the gifts He has given me and I want to enjoy each one He has given me for however long I am here. So, it's time for me to take a step back and just "be" with my family. One of the biggest things God taught me through Campbell's suffering and death is about His sovereignty and also that my children are not my own. They are only given to me for a little while until the Father calls them home. My most important job as their parent is to point them to Him. I pray I did that with Campbell and I pray that I'm doing that with Avery and Stella Grace.
In this season of life and this week of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for so many things. I'm thankful for the new life that God gave us this year and I'm thankful for the beautiful life of a little boy that was only here for a short time, but changed me for the better. He taught me about what's important in life and and to never take my eyes off the end purpose in life...to live a life that when I join my Savior and my son in heaven, my Heavenly Father will say, "well done my good and faithful servant."
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26
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