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Empty Nest Aug 21 2007
"...lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." - Deuteronomy 4:9
Have you ever thought of how parenting is a continual process of letting go? James Dobson says, "Parents must grant their children independence consistent with their age and maturity. When a child can tie his shoes, let him. When he can walk safely to school, let him." This prepares them (and us) to leave "the nest," but it isn't always easy to do.
For many Baby Boomers, the empty nest is a constantly emerging reality. To prepare for that time, parents must remember that parenting is learning to let go and using the time we have with our children as a time of preparation for adulthood.
In that light, a verse in Proverbs is a great verse to live by: "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." In short, the best way to be ready to let go of our kids is to prepare them to live responsible, Godly lives--on their own.
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2 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindAs a second-time empty nester, this spoke right to my heart. We had just begun adjusting to life without children in the home when our son experienced a life-threatening health issue that brought him back to the nest. Now over two years later and through the amazing grace of our God, we are learning to once again "let go". We have learned to trust God through all things, including knowing when the time is right for a child to "test his wings". Because our son has such an abiding faith in our Lord, he knows that he is always safe in God's arms.
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Yes, report it NevermindIt is so amazing how God works. I left my "baby" at college yesterday, 5 hours from home, and I have been sad and happy both. I read this devotion this morning and could feel the peace in my heart. I just needed this reminder that we had tried to raise here in "way she should go"