Aug. 3, 2006 - Practicing the Empty Nest
God is so gracious. All of my motherhood I've loved having all my kids with me all the time. I always liked having everyone around during reading time, and I love having my big 8'x4' table full during 'table work' time while each was busy with math or writing or whatever. Even though it was sometimes a handful when they were all small, I enjoyed loading everyone up for a trip to the library or even the grocery store, though we did get some strange looks sometimes! I've really thought of myself as a mother chicken, always keeping all my little chicks close at hand.
But my chicks are growing up, and I've never noticed more than this summer. Today, for a few hours, I will be here at home with only my youngest. Just me and one 8 1/2 year old. I never really thought ahead about what life would be like with just the baby (not much of a baby anymore) here at home. My oldest is gone to work all day, #2 just left for Texas with grandparents for a week, #3 is going to go babysit (she's really old enough to do that??) and #4 is invited to play at a friend's house, and he's old enough to walk there & back by himself! How did they all get so big all of sudden?
As I think of this I also think of the baby birds that were on my porch this summer. The mother bird fussed over them for several weeks, then one day - just like that - they were all gone! We never saw them coming & going -- they just got up one morning & said "I can fly!" and were gone.
I'm so glad God is gracious to me. I know mine are growing, and have time to prepare for their 'leaving the nest', and even get to have practice days like today! Days where I have to practice letting them go with grace, placing them in God's hands.
And I will be glad to see them all return home. I'm glad today is just a practice day! Our goal as parents has always been to raise our children to leave home -- following God's plans for each of their individual lives. That's what we strive to prepare them for. And days like today help us to see where we still need to do some work and training, another blessing of God's grace.
He is sovereign and loves them all more than I do. He is wise beyond my imagining. He is good and trustworthy, and I can let them go in His hands, for a few hours, a few days or more because He is always faithful.
Comments
Aug. 26, 2006 - My branches are growing too...
Posted by Mommymezinda
Hi! I "random blogged" you and loved reading about your "practice" day when the chicks have flown the nest. I can understand that! My babies are almost 15 and 12, and it seems like time is just flying by. My oldest is starting high school (home school) in a week or so and it fills me with all sorts of feelings...happy, sad, nostalgic. I would love to add you to my friends list, would that be okay?
Blessings on You and Yours,
Melinda
Aug. 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Barbi
I also "randomed blogged" you and I wanted to share with you.
I know exactly how you feel. Our oldest two are daughters. My house has always been filled with the laughter ad music of teen girls. Now they both are on their own and we are down to just "our baby" who happen to be 11 almost 12. Sometimes the silence is just deafening.
