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Empty nest

A call to encourage those who feel loss

 

I felt lost and wandered about the house aimlessly getting a bit cross with myself for wasting such precious hours

 

 

Of course with “empty nest” grief we know that the person is not lost to us but the feelings can be never-the-less strong and are real.

A small personal shock

It was a great shock to me, when my fourth child went to school and I was not yet pregnant with my fifth, that I suffered with a bit of empty nest syndrome. When I say, “went school” I am actually talking about pre-school, that’s only two hours a day. I had been looking forward to some time alone. I had planned many little projects, a spot of redecorating, some clearing out of cupboards, a bit of work for the church, yet none of it got done as I felt lost and wandered about the house aimlessly getting a bit cross with myself for wasting such precious hours in which I would not be interrupted at my tasks by a young child.

That time of year

As I write this, the time of year is coming when many people will be going though some feelings similar to those I passed through. Some children will be beginning school at the early years, some children will be leaving home for the first time to go to university. Maybe a family member has moved away for a new job—or many other reasons may sprout “empty nest” feelings. 

Encourage

These feelings are similar to those who suffer grief through the death of a loved one. Of course with “empty nest” grief we know that the person is not lost to us but the feelings can be never-the-less strong and are real. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 11 Paul is addressing those who are struggling with feelings of grief . His instructions to the believers are to “Encourage one another and build each other up.” As people of a fellowship of believers we should not need to suffer alone. Grieving of all types is not passed over in a day or week. We need to keep on encouraging and building up. Over the next months may I encourage you to keep up this excellent practice and look out for those who may be suffering.

 

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This article © Linda Faber 2006-2009.