Empty Nest Turned Upside Down
By Kia G.
As parents, no matter how much we love our children we look forward to the day they no longer reside in our homes. We start dreaming of that day when it seems light years away and counting down the days when the end is nearing in. Whether it is the longing of restful nights or a clutter free house. It could be the peaceful calm of not hearing loud screams of fighting siblings or waking up whenever you want. It could possibly be that you just would like to know what it feels like to walk around without pants on. All the things we dream of will soon be there, when our little chickees have flown the coop.
My children must not have read the fine print on the parenting contract, do not return home! I have had children from the young age of 17 years old. My very first apartment involved children’s furniture, toys and their little fingerprints everywhere. There was never a time that I did not have the privilege of life without kids, so of course I was looking forward to the years ahead with no one but me to look after.
Being single I have had the privilege of living a bachelorette type of lifestyle. I cook when I need to and wear as little as possible when I can. I rarely make a mess and quiet is my norm. My schedule is based upon my needs and my wants, not school or extra curricular activities. You can imagine just how my empty nest was turned upside down when not one, but two of my children returned home.
My once clean kitcken has crumbs on the counter, even if only to my eye. The one dish seems like 20 to me and the toilet seat up makes me want to absolutely lose my mind. I have gone from the loving understanding mom to the nagging miserable drill sargent. I wake up mad, often going to bed the same. Why you might ask…because my sense of normallcy has been flipped completely inside out.
I was snapping at every question and irritable at the simplest of things, such as the shower curtain not being pulled. I realized after some prayer and self reflection that I was punishing my children for needing a helping hand. My realization brought tears to my eyes and a tug at my heart. I was upset for them needing my assistance, but yet I expect for God to be my refuge. How can I expect for God to hear my cry when I want to turn a deaf ear to my young men’s needful cries?
God always seems to get my attention in any way that He can. With this lesson He chose to show me my selfish heart through the trials of my children. Yes, I long for my empty house once again, but not at the price of an empty blessing….
