Source: Anthony Ianniciello

Empty.

It’s a funny word when you say it by itself. It sounds like two letters of the alphabet “M” and “T”. I don’t know about you, but it’s a word I use often, and it has many faces. Think about it…

• Empty is how my bed feels when Tom is out of town on business.
• Empty is how my stomach feels when I haven’t planned dinner because of too many distractions.
• Empty is how my wallet stays most times.
• Empty is how my arms felt when we had a miscarriage early on in our marriage.
• Empty is how my gas tank becomes more often than I’d like to admit.
• Empty is what Tom does to our garbage twice a week–I’m grateful, so grateful he doesn’t need to be reminded for this one.

But there’s one “empty” we haven’t experienced in our home in over 33 years. It’s one we’ve heard others lament over and one we’ve been reluctant to experience. What empty are we talking about?

Our youngest daughter moved out this month, and we are officially EMPTY nesters. 

I’m filled with such a mixture of emotions.

• I’m sad that she no longer comes through our door at night, but I’m happy she has the joy and fun of setting up her own place with a friend.
• I’m sad I don’t get to see her as often, but I’m happy she calls me on a regular basis–and she texts!
• I’m sad the time of having children in our home is over, but I’m happy she has become such a godly woman in her own right. (The goal of parenting, right?)
• I’m sad to see her room empty, but I’m happy to have more space to welcome others into our home to stay for a night or a week.
• I’m sad to no longer cook for three, but I’m happy I get to cook for two.
• I’m sad if I dwell on me and how her move affects me–but I’m happy when I focus on her and how good this is for her.

So, another major life change has occurred in our home, and God is helping me see it as a good change.because.it.is! One thing that has never been empty since the day we said, I do, and that is our hearts. God has filled us with more of Himself as well as His good gifts to us than we could have ever imagined.

We are grateful to be filled with such goodness, such mercy, such kindness, as what God has given us in Christ.

Now it’s time to go cook dinner–for two!  Woo Hoo!

This song has been on my heart all day…