I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
It is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave.
Charles Spurgeon
When I bowed my knee in prayer to the Lord some eight years ago I never expected God to answer my brief (but heartfelt) petition in only a few short hours. But He did. The scenario unfolded like this. I was writing a book and rereading previously written chapters and something felt off to me. I took more time and reviewed my previous book, Empty Nest, What’s Next?, and suddenly I spotted what had been missing in the new manuscript. Emotion. When I wrote the Empty Nest text, I started reliving all the highs and lows our family had experienced in the past ten years. Penning this new project, I found I was detailing events accurately but I was lacking in feeling them as I wrote. Big difference.
How God Answered My Prayer
Thus my prayer to God that late spring morning that consisted of a single sentence. “Lord, please help me to put all the emotion I felt during these past events into every chapter I write…please.” Yes, indeed. That was my prayer and God answered it with three hours’ time. Little did I realize that while I was babysitting for my three grandsons (happily) that their mother’s (my daughter) announcement would send me reeling for the next several months. What was this cryptic statement that had me waking up nearly every morning with either tears brimming my eyes or a feeling of overwhelming sadness? They (my daughter, her husband, our three grandsons) were moving across the state.
Adult Children Must Live Their Own Lives
Yes, I know I should be grateful they didn’t move halfway across the world (or the country)…but when you have gotten used to adult children (and your grandchildren) living within a twenty minutes’ drive…any move is traumatic. Most assuredly, our entire family experienced the entire gamut of emotions all centered on this major life adjustment.
As the years passed, I’ve worked through that early grief-stricken season, gotten a little angry at times, and then moved into the acceptance stage. Dare I say that I even have many moments when I’m happy about this move for them? I am. Honest. But as I’ve been traveling along life’s highway of violently diverse emotions, I’ve come to a realization. My adult kids need and want a happy mom. For their sake, I’m so thankful that I’ve parted ways with my grieving and can look forward to all the good things God has in store for them (and me).
Happy Moms And Happy Dads Are Priceless
As I spent time alone eight years ago, whether working in my office or working alongside my husband, I silently contemplated the value of happiness as it pertains to others’ sakes. As much as I wanted to have a fun time doing lots of different summertime activities…I often found myself so sad that tears were often an unwelcome part of each event. I surely didn’t want to bring my husband and family down either…but there were moments when the tears spilled unwillingly.
Be Thankful And Give Thanks For Every Blessing
I’m so thankful for God’s nearness to me each and every day. I’m grateful for the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit as He continues to bring to my remembrance verses of promise and hope and help. I’m actually happy again. Which is where all moms and dads need to eventually get to…a happy place…for their kids’ sake. We as mothers and fathers need to work through our sorrows in order to offer the support our adult children need (or may soon need).
Adult Children Still Look To Their Parents For Guidance
We don’t have the luxury of wallowing endlessly in our state of doldrums and malaise. Our kids need us to remind them of God’s faithfulness, of His provision and care. They need us to cheer them on when they face new situations that daunt and frighten them. Above all, our adult children want to know that we are honestly okay and happy even despite the changes in their lives that by association with them…put into motion major life changes in ours.
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