How You Find Peace When Your Children Leave The Nest
You may not realize the searching of your heart, until the pace of life slows, and then you question where the time went. Everyone can relate to this, especially mothers, when all of sudden your baby is graduating, but you still remember holding your child in your arms as an infant.
The momentum of life continues, with new challenges ensuring your children are safe, that you raised them to be responsible. Yet, problems of life continue as your heart fills with worry, or even anger with decisions they make, where you find yourself, yet again, scratching your head, asking that familiar question, where did the time go, as you witness your child saying his/her wedding vows.
The concern and love for your children never waver. It leads me to Proverbs 7, as a loving father, gives advice to his son:
“My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.
At the window of my house
I looked down through the lattice.
I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.
He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
(She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
“Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose
till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.
Now then, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.
Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.
The advice parents communicate to their children today is much different. It’s delivered with words ‘be safe’, ‘text me when you arrive’, ‘call me’. For your children, they want independence. But your heart is uneasy, especially, if you don’t hear from them for days.
The Proverb above, also reveals temptation and how easily your child can be led astray. It’s what causes parents’ heartbeats to skip a beat, with the thoughts of ‘what if’ swirling with imaginary outcomes. Overall, what you want is peace. Peace in knowing they can take care of themselves and with the new outcome in your life.
It’s a season where you might be overcome with sadness, as your life up until that point has been dedicated to your child. Alone, you’re faced with a heart that seeks fulfillment and peace in knowing, despite the tribulations in life, your adult children will be okay.
How do you find peace where you feel it in your heart and soul. Where worry isn’t a dominating factor.
It's in the loneliness of your heart you act in ways unfamiliar to your character. It can also be a shift in thought patterns that lead you in a direction, you’d never thought possible.
To win and be victorious in this journey of life with its pitfalls, and uncertainties, I’ve learned to be open to Jesus’ guidance. He fulfills you, as He is the truth, the life, and the way to everlasting peace.
Jesus blesses you with His peace. His presence changes you, as He rescues you from every circumstance. Your worries, fears, anxieties, and loneliness. He is the victor, the sword that wipes clean your inequities and replaces it with peace. With His peace you find fulfillment and the concern and welfare of your children are replaced with a knowing that in Jesus, they are safe.
It’s a branch in life to let them find their own way. Despite how you miss them, they will always need you. The viewpoint may differ, but the need for your support, and encouragement perseveres.
For me, it was my wedding day. I stood in the church in my wedding dress, nearly in tears, wanting my mother, who was busy taking care of other errands. I recall asking my maid of honor to find her. I needed to feel her arms around me. To feel her love before I walked down the aisle to enter a new life.
Throughout the years, I’ve continued to need her. However, she also needs me. I mentor her, but still need her advice. It’s a bond that never breaks and grows with Jesus ever present to help with clarity, and to fill our hearts with His peace.
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A blogger, photographer, author, passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination.
Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal, but I did it!
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or nature available for wall décor.
