Are you at the age and stage of your life where you are an empty nester? Well I’m here to encourage you to “Don’t Fret The Empty Nest.”
Throughout our years together, my husband and I survived raising 4 children. We are now enjoying, and waiting the arrival of our sixth grandchild.
Our oldest son is 39 years old, our youngest is 25 and we have two daughters in between them. When they were young, I never associated the empty nest with sad emotions. I thought it was something I would actually look forward to.
Dreaming About Being An Empty Nester
I’d dream about the day when I could relax taking a bath with no interrupt. And having a peaceful dinner without any fighting or spills. On the contrary, it was a very strange feeling we both had when our last child got married and moved out. If I had to put it into words I would describe it as an empty feeling. Although, I had my husband, our dog buddy Luke, and bird friend Rocky, I still felt empty.
Over the next couple of months, I found myself reminiscing quite frequently of when our children were young. I would think about the daily things I did with them. For instance, the books we read, the parks we went to, our summers at the beach, and on and on.
What I Did With My Time Now That I Was an Empty Nester
Thank God I never got to the point of depression, and soon began taking advantage of the freedom I now had. It also brought my husband and I closer. I think because we both realized that “each other” was now all we had. So instead of allowing it to separate us, we embraced the adjustments we had to make in our new found relationship.
Besides drawing closer to my husband, there were other things I did to help fill the void. Such as;
- drew closer to God
- become more involved with church activities
- Volunteering once a week with a local ministry
- and my love for animals drove me to start raising chickens
If You Are A Parent You Will Someday Be An Empty Nester
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
“What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 1:9
Life is cyclical. Most likely, if you are a parent you will someday be an empty nester.
With that being said, not everyone reacts and feels the same way when they enter in to the empty nest stage. Therefore, see what ideas suite you better in helping make the transition a little smoother.
Thanks for reading.
Below are More Empty Nest Posts and Information:
Some of the symptoms of Empty Nesting – “Empty Nest Syndrome”
Helpful Tips and Scripture – “Learning to Let Go”
Godly View of Empty Nest – “ARE YOU FACING THE EMPTY NEST? 10 SCRIPTURES YOU NEED + HOPE!”
For More Reading:
A year ago, I posted a personal blog “Being Kept By Perfect Peace” it’s one that is very close to my heart. Read how God filled me with peace on a very worrisome day in my life.
