In the last 6 months, my husband took a new job in a new state, my daughter graduated high school, we left a town that we loved and had lived in for the better part of 10 years, we left a church and church family that was second to none, we moved into a new town, we have a new-to-us house that needs a big dose of TLC, we took my baby girl off to college and left her there(!!!) and my boys started a new school. Oh, and not to mention, I find myself basically living in a household full of males for the first time and far away from the majority of my girlfriends! Overall the changes are to be considered positive...but I am not really all on board with change, especially a lot of it!!!
The last few weeks, as we were preparing to take my daughter to college, have been -honestly- pretty hard. Beyond the surface changes that have gone on, I have struggled with this new season deep down. I don't feel old enough to send a child off into the world (albeit a college campus isn't exactly the world, but Mamas know what I mean). I still see myself as the Mom of children...small children...but I don't have any of those anymore. My youngest turns 9 in two weeks. See, I liked having little ones under foot. So, I am struggling to fit into my new season a bit. I feel blessed by my life, but as I look around, I am bit lost about where the next step is leading.
We have been visiting churches in our area, and although they have all been nice we aren't sure if we have found the right one yet. Because I am not plugged in right now, and I truly miss my Ladies Bible Studies, I have a book that I am going to start solo tomorrow. It is Praying for Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton. It is laid out in a 60 Day format with a short study for each day. I think it will be nice to spend some time in prayer over what exactly God is calling me to do in this new season of life. "...you are only a steward of the personality, roles, and talents He has entrusted to you."
~ Katie Brazelton in Praying for Purpose for Women
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to transition into that new "season" and I really, really miss having my girls in the house. I think that was worse than the total empty nest will ever be...it just upset the balance that we always had here! I can't say that I'm sad to send my son to college because he's just always been my most difficult child, so right now we are flying high that he's not around to always be causing conflict over every little thing.
ReplyDeleteI can't say it gets "better", but you do get used to it. You get used to them not being there and you stop wondering where they are, if they're alright and what they're doing. Although they're in your heart always, they're not in your present, if that makes sense.
And congratulations on your daughter's bid day success....Judson's friend also got in that chapter and Jenna wrote a rec for her, so she was excited that the first person she wrote a rec for as an alum got a bid!
God definately has plans for you dear one! A spirit as kind as yours has lots of work available.
ReplyDeleteI want to say enjoy this feeling of being unsettled but I'm sure that sounds ridiculous! But, the truth is, these times are when God is really working on you. So when your feeling uncomfortable, just know that he is at work.
Love you.
Thank you for visiting my blog...so nice to 'meet' you!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having a year filled with some big changes ...major understatement, I'm sure! But you seem to have a great perspective on all of it. I can't imagine the day we see our oldest daughter of to college. She's a sophomore this year, so I have a few years, but it's still too close for comfort. Like you, I don't feel anywhere old enough to have a daughter even that age. We recently brought home our youngest daughter from China, so we do have that young life in our home again, and it is both refreshing and exhausting...yet a blessing all the same!
New seasons can be hard sometimes. Yet they can be equally rewarding. I pray that you get plugged into a great new church soon, as I know how important those connections are. Looks like you've found some great reading in the meantime!
Blessings and Hugs,
~ Tanya
Girl, I know exactly where you are. Its sometime a difficult adjustment, but you will find benefits will come with it too. My baby (15 yrs old) is the only one at home now, and it has taken alot of getting use to. But its also very cool to see how my young adult children are growing and spreading their wings.
ReplyDeleteAlso wanted to say, a friend of mine gave the this same book several years ago. Its great!
Love you girlfriend!