Life is a collection of seasons. It begins at birth and continues through childhood, youth, and adulthood. Each season has its own characteristics and beauty, and each person must learn to live each season well.
Seasons of adulthood
Come adulthood, first there's the time to build a career, then a time to start a family, and a time to raise that family. Each has its merits.
But while parents enjoy the time when they are raising their children, there comes a time in a father and mother's life when the kids are all grown up and have to leave home either for a career or for marriage. This is the time when moms and dads face what is called "empty nest syndrome" - a state of loneliness due after the kids leave.
I am writing this article to encourage all moms and dads out there who struggle with empty nest syndrome. Life after the children are away from home can be a challenging adjustment for some but I have a few pieces of advice to help you cope with it.
1) It's a time to enjoy each other
When the kids are all grown up and have already left home, that's actually a great time for all you married couples to enjoy each other all the more. Think about it.
Before the kids arrived, you and your spouse enjoyed no one else but each other. When the kids arrived, however, the attention and focus was split between your spouse and the children. This scenario continued until the kids were all grown up.
Because the kids have left home to pursue careers and their respective families, you and your spouse can now think of and focus on just one another. Isn't that great?
2) It's a time to be more productive outside of home
Back when the kids were still growing up, you couldn't help but focus on taking care of the family. Now that the kids are away, you can start taking care of more people: neighbors, relatives, friends, and the community.
Now that the kids are out of the home, you and your spouse are given freedom to enjoy life to serve others as you please. You can volunteer in church, in evangelistic missions, and many other volunteer opportunities.
3) It's a time to be able to focus on God
Lastly, this is a great time for all you moms and dads to focus on God. Many parents out there find it hard to dedicate substantial amounts of time for prayer and Bible reading simply because they have to take care of the kids. Now that the kids are away, you can give more time to prayer.
Instead of drowning yourself in sadness over the "empty" feeling at home, realize that you can pray and seek God. Build yourselves up in Him and find your joy in Him. You'll cope very quickly as soon as you do that.
For those without a spouse
The empty nest syndrome can even be harder to fight for those who've already lost their spouses before the kids left home. Point number 1 up there may not apply to you, but points 2 and 3 will.
Now that you're by yourself, you can also take time to build new relationships. Take time to mentor younger people; visit old friends and make new ones. Enjoy your life in pursuit of Christ because even though others may have moved on or left your life, Christ never has. He is still by your side and He is especially close to the struggling or brokenhearted. He hasn't finished your story yet and still has plenty to bless you with, most of all a very close relationship with Him.
Remember,
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31).
