About the Author

Now graduated from her role as a homeschooling mom of 8, Dawn Camp devotes her time and love of stories to writing her first novel. She enjoys movie nights, cups of Earl Grey, and cheering on the Braves. She and her husband navigate an ever-emptying nest in the Atlanta suburbs.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Yes yes and yes again! “The journey of a Christian leads us over mountains high and through valleys low.” The song Oceans by Hillsong came to mind. The part “Spirit lead me where I trust without borders..” Thank you for this reminder today.

  2. When I examine my own heart, I realize that I suffer from a strange amnesia when it comes to “the lows.” I completely forget all that I have to be thankful for, and become consumed in the negative. Your story puts a hand on my cheek and turns my face, gently, toward the grace of God and His unfailing goodness that remains no matter how it is being expressed in the moment (from my limited perspective).

    • Michele, I’m exactly the same and my first instinct is self-reliance instead of God-reliance when things get hard. We’re slow to learn sometimes.

    • Michele, your idea of the strange amnesia during the lows rings so true! And then I want to see the BIG picture and figure it all out. But that is for God, not for me. Also, the thought of Dawn’s story gently turning my face towards the grace of God! Wow! Thank you.

      Dawn, how very true about the juxtapositioning of the highs and lows of life. YES, God is good, ALL the time. I’m sending up prayers for you and your family this day.
      With Love, ~ Kay Lake

      • So hard to have a “hands off” attitude when we’re muddling through the messy middle. I’m realizing that I’m not a good process person at all. And that it’s cheating to say, “I’d be so much more peaceful if only I knew how this was all going to turn out!”

  3. Dawn,
    Thank you for your words this morning and the reminder that God is good all the time. I too am going through highs and lows, so this was a good reminder for me. I am on spring break this week and not able to go anywhere except to stay at home. I have been feeling lonely and sorry for myself since all my friends have gone off on vacation. As a single mom, I have never been able to do this. My only son now lives many states away and with Easter coming up, I miss all the things we used to do when he lived at home. My parents have passed and I feel so alone and not needed. This morning I am going to spend time with Jesus and then get myself into a better mindset.

    I will be praying for your husband’s job circumstances. Congrats on becoming a grandmother. I look forward to that day. My son got married in January and they want to start a family soon. Blessings to you and your family.
    Kathleen

  4. Dawn, this is such a meaningful post about the vast juxtapositions of life, and I appreciate your naming them from your own experiences. I’m so sorry about your husband’s job and your mishap, and pray that the Lord will send him work soon. And I rejoice over the new life of your grandchild. Thank you so much for this reminder that though our circumstances may vacillate, God never does. He’s the “stability of our times,” our solid Rock who holds us fast, and He is good. And what amazes me, too, is that He *promises* to work all our circumstances–ALL of them–together for *our* good and His glory. What a staggering and *good* truth. May the Lord continue to bless you in this good journey He has given you… and may He do the same for us all. And I just happened to think… what about Good Friday? We call the worst day in history, good, because we know the outcome is. Happy Easter!
    Love
    Lynn

    • Thank you so much, Lynn! My hand is improving and my husband has an interview tomorrow and is actively looking for work. There is much to be thankful for.

  5. I have found, through the many times my husband has either lost a job or was outsourced, that God always had something better on the other side. When I look back at all the jobs he has had since we have been married (for a while it was the job for the year), every time it was a step up to a better job. Usually that job was one he would not have applied for had he not been out of work. God has always supplied for our needs…even when this happened with 3 little ones and me a stay-at-home mom, God is faithful. We just started to see these “setbacks” as opportunities for God to do something great-and He always did!!

    • Connie, I just read your comment to my husband and he said, “That’s pretty encouraging.” My sentiments exactly! Thank you for these encouraging words.

      • I will be praying for the “next step” in the grace of God for your husband’s career! Looking forward to seeing where this opportunity takes him! Keep us posted!!

  6. Thank you Dawn for reminding me to slow down and thank God for His goodness and for never leaving me alone. I know we have to live in this world of uncertainty but things happen just as you described in your family. I seem to forget so often how blessed we all are everyday.

  7. Dawn, what a beautiful post! I think that the first few times I read that scripture that talks about how whether Paul was abased or abound, he had learned to be content whatever his circumstances way too fast. It was indeed a process of learning for him. I believe that once we (I) as believers get that in our spirits that it is a PROCESS that doesn’t come overnight or even through one trial, we can agree with Job who knew that the Lord gives and takes away and His name is STILL to be blessed. This belief leads us to one of my favorite chapters of the Bible Romans 8 which ends in verses 38-39 with the affirmation that begins with ‘for I am convinced’ and ends with ‘neither height, nor depth, nor ANYTHING in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’… to know that our trials nor our joys can separate us from our loving Heavenly Father. When we know that He is right there in the hospital room, at the graveside, in the jail cell, or wherever, that’s GOOD news- HALLELUJAH!!!

  8. Dawn,

    Yes indeed! What a beautiful post. May the Lord bless you and keep you during this time. We are praying for you during this time.
    Congratulations on your beautiful new grandbaby and on becoming a grandmother. Many blessings to you all. Numbers 6:24-26

  9. Dawn
    So soothing, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”a favorite of mine.
    You’ve been dealt a lot. It’s exciting news about your new grandson, congratulations. It’s good to hear about your dad too.
    I’m sorry about your hand though, and your husband’s job. When we’re dealt lows, trust all will be good, He’s there through the highs, and the lows. Thank-you for reminding us…..

    Have a blessed day,

    Penny

  10. This is such an accurate depiction of life. In the past month my dad suffered a mini stroke in front of me and days later underwent carotid artery surgery for a 99% blockage. Could’ve died. Yet God spared him. My husband got a daytime job. Our schedules have been turned upside down. We’ve had a rough relationship the past 12 years due his infidelity and separation. But God. I too suffered a freak injury this weekend. My big dog ran into me and sprained my MCL. I’ve been on crutches and in a knee brace all weekend. God continues to whisper -“I’m good no matter the pain, the uncertainty and no matter what circumstances appear to look like”. Thank you for this post.

  11. “Highs and lows. My heart is rejoicing and breaking at the same time.”

    Oh boy, am I right there with you! We have 3 grown-and-flown, another we love from a forced distance, and then our grace baby, who is now 5 years old.

    My middle boy, who has always been medically fragile, moved from our home to his girlfriend’s family farm last summer. He is now getting his own apartment, and I cried as I purchased the bed-in-a-bag that is traditional in our family for housewarming gifts. He’ll be all alone now, and how will I know he’s OK in a town I’ve never even visited? A scary low, even though I know angels are appointed to watch over him.

    Walking through anxiety and depression with our oldest means a day can turn very quickly; when she doesn’t answer her phone, I am mentally preparing myself to find her body when I open her house door. This weekend, she surprised me by spending the entire weekend with me: volunteering at the Youth Centre, shopping in the city, and a family day on Sunday. A high for sure!

    And in my mind this morning echoes the words of The Desert song by Hillsong: “All of my life, in every season: You are still God, I have a reason to sing …”

    Praying for your family as your husband seeks new employment. May you feel God’s presence surround you, and His peace fill your hearts.

  12. Dawn,
    Welcome to being a grandmother. My first grandchild, a boy, was born February 28th, almost 6 weeks ago. He is a joy to me and I see him most every week. Thank you for your words.

  13. Amen! God is good all the time! I have learned that it is just up to me to recognize that in ALL my circumstances. I have health issues and right now am holding my grandson who has had his own as well. I know God will bring his health situation to completion as I hold on to the scripture He gave me for him before he was born. God also gave me one for me as well, I am just waiting for His time in all these issues. I have learned in the valley He restores my soul, and am recently encouraged by the song “Hills and Valleys ” by Tauren Wells. Prayers and blessings to you in your journey. God’s got you!
    Ruth

  14. My aunt sent me the funniest e card. It read When God closes a door, He opens a window. The sleeping couple wakes in the night screaming when a bearded man opens the window and says ” Howdy! ” Maybe not eaxctly the mysterious way He works in there is some truth there. And I used to live in Atlanta, now I’m south of you in Jackson, in a quiet suburb, until school lets out.

  15. Dawn. Wow. Congratulations on the birth of the grandbaby and on the good news for your dad. But I’m so sorry on the loss of your husband’s job…especially after 17 years. Praying for you guys in this season of waiting to know what God has next for you- because you know He’s got a plan, but the waiting, man. The waiting is so hard. And He is good all the time- even when LIFE isn’t good. The ups and downs and storms do not change who HE is. NOTHING changes who HE is- and who He is is GOOD! Thanks for this reminder today. Much needed <3 <3 <3

  16. I’m so thankful we have such a wonderfully good God who invites us to come to him with our requests — heartfelt prayers for your healing and for your husband to find a new job. Oh, and for all of you rejoicing at the birth of new life! <3

  17. I forget, and am so grateful when I”m reminded – when our youngest son went to Heaven at 200 days old, my mantra for along while was: “God is good, He loves me, He is enough.” I chanted it to myself as I drove back and forth to work, brushed my teeth, tucked in my other children etc. I don’t remember it enough. Thank you for sharing, and reminding me. Praying for your family and for your husband’s new job.

  18. Hi Dawn,
    Sorry I’m late to the party….life was being life yesterday and it probably would have been fitting to read your post sooner rather than later. Congratulations on the beautiful little miracle that has come into your life. Praise about your dad and lifting up prayers about your husband’s job situation. Sometimes life comes all mixed up on a plate together, doesn’t it? I remember growing up in church and singing “It Is Well”- what a beautiful hymn that captures the peace and joy that no matter what life throws at us, can’t be taken away. Praying for God’s peace and comfort as you ride out the storms. So thankful that God is faithful to His promise to bring us through the valley and not leave us stuck there. Meanwhile, don’t you love the wonderful smell of a newborn baby’s head?
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  19. Wow! That really is good! I experience that so much of my life… living with exhilarating highs and devastating lows! Sometimes I feel like a see-saw. But I also believe it is because no matter how hard life is we can always find some grand glorious miracle to praise God for in the middle of the darkest storm. Thank God He IS good ALL the time! That was my dear grandpa’s saying and life. He is now with Jesus. And in the deepest grief I remember his words.

  20. Congratulations, Dawn! And I’ll be praying about your husband’s job situation. I think I read in the comments that he has an interview…today? I’m praying now.

    This post is excellent and I can so relate. Burying a child changes your perspective! I wrote about God being totally trustworthy a few weeks ago. http://marybonner.net/god-totally-trustworthy/

    • Yes, the first interview today! I’m praying this company will make a place for him. They interviewed based on recommendation, but weren’t actually advertising to hire someone. I hope they think he’s too good of a fit to pass up! 🙂

  21. Dawn,

    Praying for you and your family. I know God has plans for your husband and there is a better job out there for him. May God provide your husband a good job quickly! So happy for you all on becoming grandparents, & aunts. Glad to hear your dad is doing well. Prayers going out for your healing also. So many Highs so many lows all at once. One thing we must all remember is that God is with us all the time-guiding our steps. I have been on a rollercoaster-with my aging dad’s health for four years. Some days he would be fine and then I’d be taking him to ER. His dementia ran the gamut. I have cried out to God “what must I learn from all this?” I think it was patience and to trust God knows best. It wasn’t always easy.

    May you have a great Easter with your family.

    Blessings 🙂

  22. I know all of you ladies who’ve commented won’t see this, but your words and prayers this week have meant so much to me. What a wonderful community we have here!

  23. Dawn, what is so amazing in life is…..it is the low “valley” moments we go through that make the “mountain tops” so much sweeter. Isn’t it true that we actually can feel closer to God in the valley, because we look to Him for His comfort, peace and wisdom with what ever we are going through at that moment. God is already there preparing where your husband will be at his new job! It can actually be pretty exciting to see what and where God has planned for you both. Right at this very moment, I thank God for the work He is doing in your lives…..He has you covered in His grace and protection! All is well….Blessings to you and your husband today! Oh yes….and congratulations on becoming grandparents❤️