No place is better than in the presence of God! :)
Empty Nest - Trusting God
I am going thru Empty Nest Syndrome early and it is not fun. We have 2 teenagers 11 months apart and I am currently researching colleges for them. Our son starts applying for college next year at this time.
I feel my emotions can be all over the place at times, and I am looking for ways to have life outside of being the primary care giver for so many years. I am hopeful that I can find something with purpose that I enjoy. Its not easy finding something I can do that works around the kids and still be a dependable employee. Seasonal work has been pretty good but I have starting looking into substitute teaching. I'm not sure if that will be the right fit for us or not yet.
There are a few things I still want to teach the kids to equip them for life- like how to drive, manage money and work a summer job. This summer we will work on interviewing skills for college with Grandma, who is an interview coach.
Thinking about the kids being 2-6 hours away from home and the thought of not being part of the daily activities is a hard pill to swallow. Right now I am trying to figure out a way to make family time in between so many extra curricular activities. The colleges want to see these continue on a transcript and our son enjoys doing them.
I feel tired and overwhelmed with the cares of the world, and normal activities seem like a lot to handle. Our married life is in need of attention with so much going on. But I will trust in the Lord. His Word gives me hope and assurance that his plans are good.
I have just started reading a Christian book called "Give Them Wings" by Carol Kuykendall that came highly recommended to help with understand the thoughts of my teens and my role as a mom in this phase of our life.
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Here are notes from what I read today in Lamentations 3:22-33:
I feel my emotions can be all over the place at times, and I am looking for ways to have life outside of being the primary care giver for so many years. I am hopeful that I can find something with purpose that I enjoy. Its not easy finding something I can do that works around the kids and still be a dependable employee. Seasonal work has been pretty good but I have starting looking into substitute teaching. I'm not sure if that will be the right fit for us or not yet.
There are a few things I still want to teach the kids to equip them for life- like how to drive, manage money and work a summer job. This summer we will work on interviewing skills for college with Grandma, who is an interview coach.
Thinking about the kids being 2-6 hours away from home and the thought of not being part of the daily activities is a hard pill to swallow. Right now I am trying to figure out a way to make family time in between so many extra curricular activities. The colleges want to see these continue on a transcript and our son enjoys doing them.
I feel tired and overwhelmed with the cares of the world, and normal activities seem like a lot to handle. Our married life is in need of attention with so much going on. But I will trust in the Lord. His Word gives me hope and assurance that his plans are good.
I have just started reading a Christian book called "Give Them Wings" by Carol Kuykendall that came highly recommended to help with understand the thoughts of my teens and my role as a mom in this phase of our life.
-------------------
Here are notes from what I read today in Lamentations 3:22-33:
God has great love for us.
His compassion's never fail.
He is faithful.
The Lord is my portion and I will wait for Him.
He is good to those who Hope in Him.
Seek Him & Wait quietly.
No one is cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion.
God has unfailing love.
He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
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Whatever affliction we may be feeling, God loves us and is our portion. He is faithful and good to those who hope in Him. He will show compassion on us and love us forever. He holds the cares of the world in His hands. I have come to realize that if I can trust God at all times, seeking Him and waiting patiently, that He can work all things out for good.
I thank God for His Word that fights against the enemy's mind games - he can so easily entangle us into a downward spiral. God's Word lifts our head and sets our feet on solid ground again. That is why scripture tells us that the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path. (Psalm 119:105)
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
Lamentations 3:25 "The
Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.."
Balancing Life as a Family
Everything in life will cost us
something, mainly time and money. How will we spend ours for what matters?
Cross country, worship practice, student council meetings,
church training sessions, AP homework, meeting with teachers for extra help,
giving music lessons or working, chores, birthdays, hobbies, conflicts in scheduling, serving, SAT testing
& conferences about colleges; all of these are examples of an American family life with teens.
Recently our family sat down to discuss what we want our priorities to be, so that we live for what matters instead of the expectations of others. Here are our priorities:
Recently our family sat down to discuss what we want our priorities to be, so that we live for what matters instead of the expectations of others. Here are our priorities:
1. God
2. Spouse
3. Family
4. Work/School/Chores
5. Serving/Ministry
Everything else falls below these things. For example:
Fun with friends
Community Service
Work
Sports
There are many times that we try so hard to do it all, but things
fall apart. Our heart is to be involved and make a difference but sometimes all of these activities can affect the peace at home. That is why it is so important to
have a set of priorities and the Word to start out with, so we don't loose sight of what we hope to be.
As a couple, we know that we want to live by the Spirit and
it doesn’t always happen. We are
learning to be content in all circumstances & hoping to follow God’s will for our lives. In reality
we both are growing in maturity & its not always pretty. That is where grace and love
come in for each other.
Living in the Spirit
matters
Gal 5:25 Since we
are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of
our lives.
Gal 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit
in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Phil 4: 6-7 Don’t worry about anything: instead, pray about
everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you
will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His
peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Peace in the Home
matters
Gal 5:15 But if
you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of
destroying one another.
Prov 26:20 Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear
when gossip stops.
Heb 12:14a Work at living in peace with everyone.
Prov 15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words
make tempers flare.
Honoring Parents
As adults we must find a way to honor our parents & set
an example as we expect our children to follow God’s Word in this
matter. Kids are gifts from God & have been placed under our authority- to protect, encourage & guide them.
Eph 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents because you belong to
the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.”
This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and
mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life of the
earth.”
Prov 1:8 My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t
neglect your mother’s instruction.
Col 3:20 Children, always obey your parents, for
this pleases the Lord.
Talking back and not obeying will result in consequences.
Requirements of our
Teens
Live in peace, have a good attitude, listen and do what we ask, be respectful to each other and especially to your parents and authorities.
Always do your best.
Col 3:23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as
though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Family comes first on special days like birthdays and holidays.
Your authorities were set up by
God. First is God, then your parents, then school and church. Please remember, despite
who may pull at you, this is the order of your authorities.
~
My hope in sharing all of this is to show how balancing priorities in a family takes effort. We struggle in this busy world, standing up for what Satan would love to tear down- the family. God has plans that include us trusting & learning to be content in Him. The results of prioritizing & balancing family life help bring us more joy & peace. Its important to carve time out for just family & I can't wait for my birthday get-away weekend coming soon. :)~
In the end, we hope that we live a life that has
more purpose and satisfaction than regrets. We want to spend our time and money wisely for eternal things, like loving family and others.
"But they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
May we all be alert to what will pull at us & attempt to break our family bonds. Peace be with you.
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