Your youngest is off to school or on their own. You’re just beside yourself. It’s a lot harder than you thought. The quiet halls of your home are haunting. You miss the hustle and bustle of teenage life, including the drama that goes with it. It’s normal to feel this way. For a lot of parents, we think about how time flew by, the mistakes we made, the time we wasted, or the hurtful words we said. Others of us are just sad because we miss them so much. Suggestions? Remember God is in control and works all things for His good, even our failures. Being a parent is a high calling, but it’s not our only calling. Reassess your life’s mission and enjoy those “prime time” years.

Based on “Don’t Get Stuck in the Empty Nest” by Dennis Rainey, FamilyLife.com

Suggested Reading: Matthew 25:35-40