Train Up a Child
By Luann Prater
Monday, August 7, 2017
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Can I just be honest? It does hurt when you have invested 18 years pouring yourself into children and suddenly they leave! Everything changes!
However, life continues to bloom and I’m noticing something in the Bible – it’s a normal process!
If our entire life is consumed only by our children and their activities, when they fly the coop, it will feel empty. Paul pointed out a vital characteristic in 2 Timothy 1:5, when he said,
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. NIV
Timothy learned by example. Timothy saw faith in action. When he left the nest I imagine his mom continued growing and blooming faith in others lives with her example. I can’t imagine she led an empty life.
The definition of EMPTY is – Containing nothing; not filled or occupied.
When our grown kids begin experimenting with worldly things once they leave, our natural tendency is to point a blaming finger in the mirror saying,
What did you do wrong?
It’s easy to become paralyzed by the actions of grown children. The battle cry of my heart is this main ingredient verse with an added special request,
Make them old, Lord! Make them old!
God is faithful. We can believe that He has them in the palm of His hand.
Retirement is never mentioned in the Bible. God opens new ministry doors when your calendar becomes clear. Some of the most motivated, powerful, radical servants sprinkled throughout His Word were empty nesters.
One empty-nester lived across the street from me at a critical time in my life. She had raised 3 children and could have sat back, empty.
But this woman decided to fill her life with a young mom who was desperate. She held my hand and encouraged me when I discovered I was pregnant with number 3. All of her parenting knowledge was poured out on this confused, crying girl. Empty was never how I would describe Mrs. Metcalf, no she was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. And her joy spilled out onto me.
Put on your God-goggles. Pay attention. He longs to fill your void places with some unexpected occupants.
Your dwelling place is secure; your nest is set in a rock. Numbers 24:21 NIV
Father, pry open my closed mind and reveal clearly where You want me to shine. Fill my empty places Lord with Your Holy Spirit and take me to places where You can then pour me out into the lives of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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© 2017 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Monday, 07 August 2017.
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