For months now, you could find me, at any given time, crying like a blubbering mess.
I have been facing a few transitions or what some may want to call a new season in life. Some of you may have been more apt to embrace this change with open arms but me, well, let’s just say there was no embracing.
A couple of months ago, it hit me, I am about to be a stay-at-home mom with no one at home but myself. I know that many of you reading this have been in my shoes, maybe even more than once and know exactly how I am feeling.
I am not the mom that is at the end of the driveway cheering when her kids leave school. I am the one with the bucket and box of tissues in hand.
Last week, as I pulled out the school parking lot, alone, I heard God’s promise whisper to my heart.
You Are Not Alone and You Never Will Be.
I am missing my kids very much, but alone, I am not. Alone, I will never be.
As much as I love my kids, my family, and being mommy, those things can never make me feel whole. Those things can never make me as complete as I am in Christ. Those things will never leave me with moments that at some point I do not feel completely washed over with emptiness.
I have over the past couple of months really been pouring into God’s Word. I have stepped back from all my blogging commitments and not put so much focus on all the little things. I am continuously reminded if this is what God wants me to do. He will also make a way for it to happen.
I have to stay in His Word. I have to take care of the things He has blessed me with. My husband, my kids, and putting Him above it all. We are told in Matthew 6 to Seek First the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.
Circumstances in our lives are constantly changing. Last year, I had one kiddo in school full time and now I have two in full time and one in for part of the time. A Change. A Huge Change. And this change, to be honest, has made me feel a bit tossed to and fro.
But I have a guarantee in this life that I have to rest my soul in.
Christ Alone. And in His Unchanging Nature has given me a constant. A firm anchor to remain steady when my boat gets rocked.
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:19 (NLT)
That doesn’t mean I don’t have to feel. It doesn’t mean I don’t get to hurt, feel sad, or grieve a change in my life.
It means I don’t have to do it alone. It means I can come into the inner sanctuary. Into the Heart of Christ and there I can rest at His feet.
I can gain the assurance that even in the difficulties of life and in the change in circumstances, I have the assurance of an unchanged unmovable God. With the Father of Light. He casts no shadow. This means He doesn’t change. What He gives is good and perfect gifts.
James 1:17 tells us, “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (NLT)
When times get tough we have two choices to make. We can run from God (Trust me when I say I have tried that and it doesn’t go smoothly) or we can run to God.
I have been running to God. I have been bathing in the grace, love and mercy that He has poured down on me through His Word. Through His promise to never leave me.
Although, there has been a time of grieving, He has reminded me, You Are Not Alone.
You are my child and my child, I have you cradled and tucked you in my hand and there, you can find rest and security.
My friend, I know there are many of you going through something right now in your life. You may be surrounded by people and yet you feel utterly alone.
Christ has made us to have a need that is so deep for Him that our very soul will remain restless until we discover how to depend on Him in all of life’s circumstances. It is not by chance that you feel that way.
Now is when you make the choice. Run from God or Run into His arms.
Your creator and master designer has made you to need Him for your completeness.
Choose completeness in Him and you will have an anchor for your soul that will that will remain steady and secure.
Let me know. What is it that you are facing that has you feeling restless and rocked to the core. If it is too personal, you don’t have to share. You can just let me know that you are in need of Christ’s hand on your heart. I want to pray over each of you this week. So please, comment below and let me know how I can lift you up before the Lord.
Friends, we are here to encourage you and others, please share so others can join us in the conversations here. Want to continue this conversation? Send me an email or comment below.
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WOW! I know Summer is busy so I thank you all for coming here and for the 79 Amazing posts. This party has been wonderful and it is thanks to you, friends, who link-up with us and those who stop by and read and SHARE! Thank you!
This week’s featured friend is Beth Steffaniak from Messy Marriage. What I love about Beth’s site and all of her posts is that she is real. She comes each week with an honest heart that reinforces the fact that we don’t have to be perfect to come to Christ, we just need to come with our hearts. I am glad you are here and join us every week, Beth!
While you’re here, sit down with some of my friends.
WOW! I know Summer is busy so I thank you all for coming here and for the 79 Amazing posts. This party has been wonderful and it is thanks to you, friends, who link-up with us and those who stop by and read and SHARE! Thank you!
You all are amazing writers who share DIY’s, Recipes, Photos, Giveaways, Homeschool and Family and Faith. Many of you have amazing journeys of faith and I praise the Lord we are able to connect here!
There are easy share buttons to your left or at the bottom of each post (mobile) and after you link-up. Thanks for sharing!
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Sorry to hear the past months have been so difficult for you, and thank you for sharing your faith and encouragement through it 🙂
Thank you so much, Gwen. The suffering is is to share the encouragement with others. Glad I have the opportunity to maybe be a light of hope for someone going through any difficulty. Thanks for sharing with us here today.
I completely understand your feelings. I remember when my last child went off to school. I spent the day in tears, went through the day's motions, but cried. Then, the empty next year's later….still trying to deal with that. Now even a bigger change, my daughter going through a divorce and it is rocking our worlds. One of the hardest times and trust me when I say, I've had hard times, but to watch your own child suffer, it is difficult. Leaning and trusting in God is the only thing that holds me together right now. So I'll lift you in prayer, you lift me in prayer and the rest we leave in His hands. Thanks for the party today.
Oh, Michelle, I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine how heart-broken you must be. Thank you for letting us know about your pain so that we can uphold you as well. Trusting for grace to your heart that will enable you to stay strong for your much-loved daughter.
I am really sorry to hear that, Michelle. I prayed for your daughter, you, and your family. What a tough situation that always is. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I love that I have all these wonderful mom friends that get it. So glad you are here, friend!
Thank you so much, Michele Morin for being such an encouragement no matter where you are. Such a blessing, Friend!
I remember the day our daughter pulled out of the driveway for college and the tears knowing she would be home every weekend. HUGS Jaime. I have to confess though as hard as it was I wasn't alone and my husband and I entered into that empty nest full of each other. It hasn't changed sixteen laters we continue to grow more and more in love. It was as if we were first married again. Savor each season. Now I'm full up with two toddler grandsons and three more on the way and I get to be a stay-at-home Nana.
I love that Deborah. The period that you entered into with you husband where you could focus on each other and continue to grow more and more in love. What a beautiful opportunity for each of you to have one another and not to be a stay at home nana. Thanks so much for the encouragement and the hugs and thanks for sharing here, friend!
((Jaime)) The struggle is real, isn't it? I only have one left in school, and this is the first year in 14 years that we haven't homeschooled. Oh, the quiet house…love and hate it, all at once. Hang in there…we'll adjust and we're gonna be okay. ((hug)) Beautiful post about faithful Companion. ((grace upon grace))
Oh the adjustments and the changes that we have to face as time goes by so fast. Thank you for the hugs and the reassurance that we will be okay. Glad to have such great people and moms that get it. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week, Brenda.
Jaime, it's so wonderful to see Beth's smile here in your space. She offers so much wisdom and godly counsel through her writing.
Blessings to you in these days of change.
I am with you, Michele. Beth has such great work to offer people and really has wonderful advice on getting through the marriage life. I am glad she is here and all of you visit and join us here every week!
When our oldest son left for boot camp, I was a mess. I was sobbing like a baby, right in front of the recruiting officer. I know how you feel. Praying for peace for you!
Love it, Shelly. Sobbing like a baby right in front of his officer. Us mammas should have to hide the fact that we love our kids. This things are tough but we don't have to pretend they are not. Thanks so much for stopping and for sharing your heart with us!
These transitions in life are hard, aren't they! The good news is… they come back! I see my kids now more than I did when they were young!
Praying God will comfort you and give you much joy and grace as you transition into this new phase of life!
Thanks for hosting the weekly link up~
Blessings,
Melanie
Such great news, Melanie! I love going back to my parents house. I love my kids getting to know them. I think there are weeks I see them more that when I was in college and beyond. It is great that your kids have you and have that support. Thanks so much for the prayers. They are much appreciated!
Jaime, thank you for sharing your heart in this open, honest, transparent post! There is a quote that I heard from Pastor Andy Stanley years ago that has always helped me in difficult circumstances…"What would a girl, just like you, do, in a situation just like the one you are in, if she was absolutely certain that God was with her?"…that always centers me on the continual presence of Jesus Christ in my life…and I turn my eyes upon Him once again! Many blessings to you!
First of all, thank you, Jaime, for highlighting my blog and saying such kind words about my site. I truly appreciate it! And second of all, I'm right there with you in a grieving mama season. My youngest 20 yo son just moved to California this past week. I didn't want him to go. I don't think he's ready for this big of a move . . . or maybe I'm not ready for this big of a move! So I've been in mourning much of this week and before when I knew he was set on doing it. Let me say, motherhood never gets easier, but we certainly have our Lord who is our anchor–stabilizing us in the middle of these waves of life. Hugs to you!
Hi Jaime … how good to meet you at Holley's this morning … and to see Beth's smiling face featured front and center. She sure is a wonderful friend and a very wise woman.
;-}
Hi Jamie! so related with this post girl. My oldes is in college this year and my youngest is doing online schooling and working during the day. So, I am a stay at home mom that is alone as well. I love how God meets us right in when we feel alone and He reminds us He is always with us! Blessing my friend and great, heartfelt post!
Thank you for the encouragement and the weekly linkup!
Changes, even good and completely normal and healthy life changes, are still change, and as such are still stressful on our emotions. God bless and comfort and strengthen and encourage you!
Jaime, you are such a wonderful Mom and lady! I know that your words here will encourage the hearts of so many other Moms who are going through the same thing. You are in my prayers, Love! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! *HUGS* 🙂
Oh, sweet Jaime! I wish I could jump through this screen and hug you! I am praising God for opening your ears to His truth and reassuring you that you are never alone. This next season will get easier. You will find your new normal and find peace in it. I'll be praying about your blog commitments, too. I can sooooo relate. There have been times I have had to pull back and get all nervous and upset, but God keeps it afloat even if I take a break. He will make the way!
Hugs, my friend!!
Lori
Thanks for the great post and BlogHop, Jaime. I'm so glad that you shared with us at Together on Tuesdays 🙂
Sorry I am so late, prayers for you. I am also learning that I am not all alone.
Thank you for such a beautiful and inspirational reminder.
We are so glad you joined in the Family Joy Link party this week.
Melissa