UNCOMMEN: Empty NestSample

Time For Some New Lenses

You’ve probably heard the saying, "you get out what you put in". And it's very true when it comes to your children. (I say it's "very true" and not 100% true because there are great children who come from awful parents and bad kids that come from great parents.) But as a whole — as our verse says — it's a parent's job to train a child in all the areas needed growing up.

Teaching your children about Jesus, good morals, manners and how to communicate effectively is the best foundation for them to build on as they get older.

I say this to try to ease the Nervous Nellies out there who worry over everything about their children. Trust that you have invested the time and effort in teaching them how to seek God's wisdom, problem solve, ask for help and trust God in all they do in life.

Parents worry — no matter how much preparation is invested. Thinking that we have control of events is an illusion at best. God is in control of your life, as well as your children's lives. Just because they do things differently than you might think they should do, doesn't make it wrong. You and I probably did hundreds of things that drove our parents crazy. Learn to counsel when asked, encourage when needed and support when necessary.

One of the best things you can do for your adult children is to pray for them and still lead by example. Be honest (without an agenda) with your answers when asked. I've heard someone say; I'd rather be accused of being too close to my children rather than too far away. Your children still need you in their lives. They just need you differently than when they were younger and living at home. It's hard to try to see your children as anything other than a 5-year-old completely dependent upon you for everything. But you are going to have to try to see them through different lenses because they see you differently as well.

Uncommen Questions:

Are you a Nervous Nelly now that your children are starting to live their own lives?

Have you pulled back too far and are now out of the picture entirely? Why? How is that beneficial to anyone?

Uncommen Challenge:

I challenge you to stay far enough away to let them fly, but close enough to hear them call out for help.

Scripture Verse:
Proverbs 22:6