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. I was blessed two years ago with wonderful mini miracles seeing Gods hand work in my life, provide amazing opportunities in my masters in Peace and Conflict Studies. After submitting I got a job in Finance at the University. Great God provided something temporary for a much needed financial boost to my family & 3 kids. But yet here I sit still in that job and I am grateful but also waiting…for when God will provide the pathway to the job where well that’s related to my masters.

    I also feel guilty for wanting a change as there is a pandemic going on and hurt at the few jobs I have tried the constant rejection. I’m trying to lean in to the spirit to hear Gods direction but it’s hard. Then the negative talk chimes in!! It’s a confusing place to be. I pray that God would move in my life….

  2. I have found it extremely difficult being in what I call my forced retirement. I moved to be nearer to my daughter in Nov. 2019 and because of the pandemic, I did not try to find a job. I have struggled being at loose ends. I am now trying to do some volunteer work and that helps a bit. I am a retired mental health clinician and school counselor. Big into helping others! I continue to question what it is I am supposed to do. And then yesterday I felt God tap me on the shoulder. A neighbor who I had seen earlier in the day knocked on my door. She is relatively new to the condo building where we live and we have spoken from time to time, as we both sit out on our porches when the weather permits. She came to tell me about her health situation as I had noticed she was not her usual self when I saw her earlier. As it turns out, she may only have months left to live. I sat and listened to her and offered my support. We spent about an hour chatting and just being in the moment. As she left, I thanked her for sharing and that it was an honor that she felt safe enough to do so. I realized maybe this is my purpose if I take the time to listen and to be open to others rather than focusing on what I think my job should look like. I thanked God for showing me I still have value and it does not have to be defined by a title.

  3. Thank you for this post Dawn! We are about to move my Dad-in-love into assisted living near us. He has been living independently not near any relatives since we lost Mom 2+ years ago. At 91 it was time to make a change. I used the progression in John 15:2 you pointed out to encourage him that even though his independence is being curtailed a bit he is being prepared to bear more fruit & abundance is a promise! Thank you again for your words needed to apply to his “big picture” as he transitions to a new circumstance. Blessings upon blessings!

  4. Hi, I have a chronic disease–Lupus. Not the nice little kind. I was diagnosed at 25, while having my 2nd and last baby. I was very active–a RN, wife and mother. Active in my church-playing the piano. Until I could not hit the right keys anymore–arthritis. My disease continued until it paralyzed my GI Tract. After 3 years on IV nutrition and more than 12 life threatening MRSA infections, I had to leave my job and go on disability. I lost my husband. Thankfully, at the end of a 2 year custody battle, I had custody of my 2 boys. Then there was a neuro -stimulator for the stomach. I was the 1st compassionate one placed. It worked immediately!!! I was never strong enough to go back to work, although I tried. But, I was home and able to cope and raise my boys. I worked in the youth –my boys asked me to!!! Now at 61, a few years back, Medtronics changed the stimulator to try to get FDA approval for obese people for which other things had failed. It no longer met my needs. I was back where I was 22 years ago. That was 4 years ago. I have been told there is nothing elso medical science can do for me-4 years ago. Well I am still here. I am home bound, living with my oldest son and his family–3 adorable grandchildren. Yes, God does prune you in different seasons. I now pray for people that I know of in my church and as asked for by our Women’s Ministry Director. Not what I thought I would be doing at this stage of my life, but God often changes our plans to His plans. So He wakes me up everyday and I do my best to try to do what He has on His agenda. It is not easy, but He did not have it easy either. I am very thankful for all He has brought me through!!!

    • Betsy, I’m so sorry the device that helped you before no longer works for you. I’m thankful for the needs you’re able to meet and the presence of your family around you daily.

  5. I absolutely love this and to be honest it was what I needed to read it touched my heart. I love reading your blogs and the véase you share

  6. Dawn thank you for what you wrote. It speaks to me. I not into plants or flowers as I forget to water them. People in the past out being nice have bought me flowers and plants. I do either forget to water them or over water them and they die on me. I am greatful for them taking the time to buy them to me. No matter what the reason. I can see why Jesus prounes us. Like a plant we have to care for it nurture it and love it. If we don’t do that it will die. It is like that with our lives. If we don’t nurture them everyday in the word of God and Prayer. As God word is water to our souls. Water is the most pure thing you can drink. God word is like pure water. Sometimes we get dry and thirsty our spiritual and soul. To stop it getting dry our spiritual soul. We have to go God word and drink from it. To stay replenished and not dry of thirst to our souls. As when we get dry we can let rubbish in. That is stuff that God would not want us to have in our lives. So then Jesus if we see we are dry and not being drinking from the well watered word of God. We have to go to Jesus ask him to Prune us. Yes Amit we have not been drinking from the well water of his word. As Jesus to forgive us for not doing that. Letting our spiritual soul come dry. With rubbish God would not want us to let into. That is doing us harm. As Jesus to prune us. That mean show us the things in our lives that should not be in it. That we might be doing that are wrong if we really want to live right for Jesus. Through his Holy Spirit he will show us. How to get rid of al that is killing us spiritually. Get rid of the weeds in our lives. Yes it might be painful. But afterwards we will be glad Jesus showed us. Jesus help prune the weeds out of our lives to start living right for him. For it we will be better people for it. No matter how hard it is to pull the weeds out let Jesus prune us into the beautiful people he wants us to be for him. We will be glad we did let Jesus prune us. No matter how hard it was to get ride of the weeds in our lives. The Devil will always try and tempt us back into doing them again. So we have to be on our gard. So as the Devil will not tempt us. As it says in God’s word he will help us not be tempted what we can’t bare that we will give into it. As it says in 1 Cor 10 verse 13 “There hath no temptation that has taken hold ,of you but such as common to man. Buy God is faithful He will not stuffer you to be tempted beyond that which you are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” How true that is. I seen it in my life when temptation comes my way. I have at times given into it. Jesus has had to Prune me. Help me get rid of the weeds. Through going to him in prayer and reading his word and listing to his Holy Spirit. Not let the Devil tempt me. Or Tempt me back into doing them. I am changed into the beautiful tree God wants me to be. Living right for Jesus. Doing as his words says. To stay that way. Be careful not to tempted again. I have to keep my soul well watered in Prayer and reading of the word. If I don’t I could slip again. I don’t want that. Love Dawn Ferguson-little xxx

  7. Dawn,

    I’m in the harvest season of my life. Continually receiving blessings from God. For over 10 years I was the main caregiver for both my parents. I eventually had to quit a good job to be more available for dad. Then I got a part time job & it lasted 2 years. January 2019 they said they no longer needed me. Yeah I thought as I knew God had bigger & better things in store for me. Little did I know how good they would be. Two weeks later I was offered a part time ICU Step Down clerical position at the largest hospital in area. They shut my unit down in December 2019, but reopened it a few months later. September 2021 I was working full time for my co worker who broke her arm. Then in November 2021 they shut the unit down again. What now I thought as I had a new boss. Fortunately she found a unit that could use me. They put me in a Covid ICU unit. I didn’t care for it at first but then grew to love it. Learned to make IV tubing with 4 extensions & make them each time I work. That impressed the boss so much they posted a full–time clerical position just for me. Talk about blessing upon blessing from God!! He pruned me tons while caring for my parents but now comes the blessings.

    Just wait everyone. Your time of blessings will come eventually!!

    Blessings 🙂

  8. Thank you, Dawn, and what a beautiful name! 🙂

    I’m in a waiting room now, too, so this is comforting to read.

    My company restructured, and I lost my job in September, we moved homes in October, I started exploring new career areas in November, and I’m wondering what God has for me now.

    Trying to surrender to God’s clippers right now in this season of pruning.

  9. The thing about God’s “pruning” or God’s “discipline”, is that they can feel similar, & be very difficult to go through! Both are meant to draw us closer to Jesus; not away in discouragement.

  10. What is the name of the plant app? My Christmas cactus was doing so well but is now in need of more than just watering at the right time!