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This site has been almost completely dormant for quite some time now. There are many factors. Some of which may come out in future postings here, others that will not be shared publicly.
Suffice it to say there has been plenty of thinking, learning, growing going on during this period of public dormancy. I’ve been reading a lot more, as I have said on these pages before, and there has been much focus on figuring out who we are. Individually, and as a family. Not only does that take time, it takes plenty of energy as well. That certainly has limited my abilities to share all that I am learning and pondering on these pages. I have discovered over the past six to eight months that I do not have limitless energy.
(There have been those over the years—myself included—who entertained the possibility that this was indeed the case…)
There are so many stories to tell. God is good, and continues to be so to our family. I love seeing him through the tough stuff. Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. Not just words. Truth. When we face trials, we first learn more about ourselves and more about life and, hopefully, gain wisdom along the way. But also, we’ve discovered that there is actually more real life to be found in the harder things of life. The “trials”, you might say. Somehow, going through those things with your closest loved ones, and any of those whom God has placed in your life for that season—somehow that deepens the bonds of relationship unlike the good moments that are also shared.
(Thankfully, the good moments become great memories, which also are the jewels of great friendships.)
I am learning to really find peace and strength and rest in every new morning God gives me. Actually, in every moment. When the pressures and stresses of life build up, cumulatively piling on the weight of every decision that has to be made… there is peace in knowing that God is right there with me, that we are going through this together. Trusting his goodness brings a deep peace that is truly beyond understanding. (There’s a neat song that someone once wrote on that subject using the verses in Philippians 4… check it out.) 😉
I know for a fact that it has been a very tough year for several of our close friends. Life is not always (as they say) “sunshine and lollipops”. Are you in a difficult season right now? Would you say you are “facing trials of many kinds”? I hope you can find the peace that our Father promises us. It is ours to have… but it’s definitely not always easy to “find”.
James says:
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
And, don’t forget, Jesus says:
Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.
Life is full of chances to trust him. I think that’s one thing that we in the Campbell house are listening to and learning to live in these days. Even though it seems so backwards, I hope you are finding lots of ways that you need to trust him, to rely on him as well. What seems so hard, often produces such great things.
Consider it pure joy.