So this happened today…as he does, God arranged a perfect match (no I’m not getting married or moving ha!). These days, I’m truly an empty nester. My basement used to be filled with a complete set of furniture. I had the thought come up about a month ago about that it might be time to part with it. My kids are grown, my daughter’s getting married very soon and my son has been married now for 4 years. I was having a garage sale and thought I could mention it to people as they shopped.
There was some interest, but no takers. It’s been a thought to put it on Facebook marketplace and then I got too busy and honestly I’m not sure I was emotionally ready to part with it at that point anyway.
This basement wasn’t used a huge amount but when it was, there were high school boys lined up in a row in front of the TV laughing and playing video games while I baked cookies or brownies for them, so happy to have them over. It was a space for high school & OSU marching band drum practicing, trying to make the squad, which he did .
This was even an area for one of the kids to hide a hamster for a hot minute until I went down there for something and got a surprise! THAT led to multiple, interesting conversations as you can imagine…
It was a place I had finished for the kids to have their own space and hang out. I love how it provided that along with storage for Christmas, Halloween and Easter decorations which carry their own memories.
So, just as God does, I think he gave me time to process parting with it. Last Sunday as I walked out of a church service into the lobby, as I often do being an introvert at heart, I prayed that if I was to speak to anyone, that the Lord would guide me. Within a few minutes I saw a couple I knew from a small group I was in so I thought I’d say Hi. Little did I know that this encounter would lead me to get in on a conversation that someone’s daughter needed furniture for college. I said what?? I have some if you want to check it out. The rest is history. A win-win for everyone.
There are a couple of reasons why I’m posting this:
1. God’s always on time! He is arranging things for you and your future right now, even the smallest of details. It’s hard to wait, but he is lining things up for you just right (I’m speaking to the choir also here ).
2. I want to encourage those who are sending kids off to college and are becoming empty-nesters…its going to be OK! This is your time to do things for you and connect with your purpose again.
Four years ago, my son got married (which was fantastic), I had to put my dog down and then literally 3 days later I helped move my daughter to college 2 hours away. Seeing the progression of events posted on Facebook, I had some friends take notice and message me to make sure I was ok. I knew God had the time open up for a reason, which I now know was to pursue my health coaching business. I know he is clearing out my condo for a reason too, in preparation for new things to come. Its a theme right now for sure. I see it all around me not only in my life but in so many other’s lives.
Isaiah 43:19 says “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
I do perceive it Lord and instead of wallowing in memories of the past and camping there, my attitude is of excitement of what’s to come! Yes those memories will always be there and are treasured in my heart, but there’s a lot God has for me to do in this time in my life. Lots of lives to help set free and get healthy!
Maybe I’ll use the new space as a home office?? Maybe it will sit empty? I’m not sure, but I know that God’s on the move. I want to encourage you He is for you too! Its just all in how you “perceive” it.
#newbeginnings #thebestisyettocome #Ihaventseenanythingyet
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