UNCOMMEN: Empty NestSample

Paying it Forward

Once you start to experience your children moving out and having to build a different kind of relationship with them, it may open your eyes to your relationship with your parents. You may have already called them in the past and thanked them for putting up with you as a child. You may have asked them for their input in the past, or you may need to reach out to them again.

If you are a parent, you know that you don't always get it right and need a lot of grace in your parenting performance. Your parents deserve that same grace, and now it may be time to rebuild that relationship. It may not be able to happen overnight, but you and I can start with prayer.

Even if the relationship cannot be mended, you can pray for them and honor them with your speech. You can also learn from this by communicating effectively with your adult children on how you can be a Godly resource in their life. Relationships grow and change over time, and if you still communicate the same way you did when your children were five years old, you're going to have problems.

Your children still need you in their lives, but they may need you in a different way than you're used to in the past. They may come to you for input or just an ear to listen. Giving input to them should be asked for and not just given to them at every turn. They are trying to establish themselves as an adult, and if you've invested in them as a child, trust they listened.

As my wife and I say at this stage in our children's relationship, "flexibility is a sign of maturity". Embrace that relationships evolve and learn to speak with truth and grace to both ends of your family (children and parents).

Uncommen Questions:

Are you ready for the change in relationship with your children?

Have you embraced the change in your relationship with your parents?

Uncommen Challenge:

Take a moment and examine your relationships with your children and parents and make the needed adjustments. Be a Godly influence and example to each.

Scripture Verses:
Ephesians 6:2-4