Are you on this end of motherhood? How did/do you deal with it?
Are your friends, activities, job, husband, and home
enough to fulfill you, allow you to live your purpose in God's plan?
Been there. Still do it. Or, at least, tell myself to do it.
But I struggle.
Struggle, as in
"I miss my kids so much my chest feels like it's going to burst!"
That began when our eldest went to college and got married, and only increased in intensity as the next 2 did the same. I've been trying to find a healthy outlook in this season for over 10 years.
Am I the only one?
Yes, there are many joy-filled moments and blessings to be savored.
There's lots of love to keep me warm.
But in my heart, this "missing them" spot is fresh and tender.
Do you have one of those?
Elizabeth at Just Following Jesus left me a thoughtful comment [love those!] on yesterday's post.
I hopped over to her site to thank her and found a kindred heart.
In her Wednesday post, she talked about her sorrow as her Daughter, SIL, and children
leave the US to serve God in Africa.
She quoted Watchman Nee,
"God wants us to love Him more than our Isaac."
She's considering starting a new blog called M{oms}O{f}M{issionaries}
with this purpose-
Maybe us Mamas need an online place to share both the wounds of letting go as well as the joys of seeing our children serving God and to share prayer requests as well.
I want to be a joyful, gracious woman of God.
For the most part, I believe I am by the looks of me.
But my heavenly Father and my Dear Husband know differently.
They know my struggle.
I want to be able to be alone with myself and them
and truly be that woman.
I need some other Moms to come alongside me
and help me learn to love God more than I love my Isaac.
I have encouraged Elizabeth to begin that blog.
How about you?
Would such a blog fill a need in your heart and soul?
If so, please visit her and tell her that.
I am so thankful that you are there.
Your posts and comments help me with these crazy ups and downs
as I try to find my way with Jesus.
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:1, 23-24
May you taste God's abundant grace today!
Love,
Linking up with
Iris @ Grace Alone for Thankful Thursday
10 comments:
Yeah sometimes I go crazy when kids get nuts, but more than anything else I always be thankful for having a chance being a MOM, visiting here through Thankful Thursday
OMGoodness. While I am not exactly where you are, wen you read my post, you'll see I know EXACTLY what you're feeling.
(((HUGS))) mama and blessings.
I think most women have these feelings when the nest is empty. Mine has been empty for 14+ years and at first, I was a complete mess, but over time I have finally come to terms with it and so enjoy watching my children parent their's.
I love my life and know Gods plan is perfect. I just got home from Church, the Message was that we are Lambs and Jesus is our Shepard..simple reminder but poignant. The blog sounds wonderful.
Blessings,
Shawn
It'll be some time before our nest is empty but I'm already not looking forward to that day..
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and poignant post.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Dear Grace, I am not there yet, I am just on the other side of motherhood myself but I can feel your struggle and empathize with you. It isn't quite the same but I often think about my son being taken away from me and how life would feel if that were to happen (there isn't really a possibility, just my bizarre mind:), the emptiness of a life without him even though I got along just fine before he came on the scene.
I pray that you find comfort in this time of your life. You do sound like a woman of grace to me.
I understand your feelings. Two of my chicklets left the nest and the remaining one is definitely an adult and doesn't need me to do much for her.
But what a blessing that we HAD some chicks to leave the nest, right?
God bless you in your journey to find joy in the place where you are.
Dear Karen,
Thank you for taking the time to visit my place and leave a comment. I am grateful to God to hear that you were blessed and found in it words to take with you.
I will visit you soon.
Blessings,
We're new parents but I know my grandmother is having a hard time being an empty nester (she helped raised us). My son is 15 months old and I can't believe he's a BIG boy already!
Thanks for dropping by my blog and I hope you'll visit again soon!
I am facing two of my four going to college this year. I am already dreading it yet knowing that this what they need to do in order to become the adults they need to be. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! I would love to hear anyone's words of encouragement concerning kids leaving home.-Laurie
Oh I hear you loud and clear. Mine are both still living at home, but are both at uni and busy all the time. The separation has certainly begun.......
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