Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Empty Nester/Retirement (from work) (09/10/09)
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TITLE: The Precipice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Kliewer
09/12/09 -
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I awake with a jerk.
Oh.
My heart pounds hard within my chest, my body drenched in sweat.
I sit up, trying to calm down.
I grab for my robe lying beside the bed, stand up slowly so as not to disturb my husband, resting so peacefully. He’s not been sleeping well lately, so I really don’t want to wake him.
As I pull my robe on, I make my way to Rebekah’s room – the room I have turned into a ‘retreat room’ for myself.
I pull open the blind so I can see the night sky from the window, then lower myself into the rocker, swiveling it so I can look out. I gaze out… seeing thousands of stars twinkling gracefully from their homes. My heart rate slows as I marvel at God’s creation.
I open the box near the rocker that has my journal in it, pull it and a pen out and begin writing.
God, that was some dream! Standing on that precipice and seeing… nothing. Nothing but a black hole.
God, when Rebekah was a baby I never imagined what it would be like to someday give her wings and let her fly. I didn’t think of one day having an empty nest. All I saw was a cherished baby who needed my care, dependent on me for her every need.
As the years went by, she needed me less and less. She learned more each day to do things for herself, as it should be. Still, I didn’t look ahead to the nest being empty. It never really crossed my mind. Sure, I had to let go, a lot. But with her still living at home longer than most kids her age, well, it didn’t sink in that she would fly the coop some day.
Now at twenty-three she has. She’s moving on with her college career and I know she’ll be home on breaks, but still… the pain is there, because nothing will ever be the same again. But, God, in a way I’m enjoying this time… discovering again, who I am…and the heart connection will always be there.
The pain at times, though, is so severe. It takes my breath away, as I shed tears of sorrow. This empty nest…
Psalm 91:4
This often happens when I’m pouring my heart out to God so I’m not surprised.
I grab my Bible out of the same box and flip the pages open to Psalm 91, loving the way the pages rustle in the quietness of the night.
I read:
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take
refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and
buckler.
I jot the verse down in my journal and continue writing.
God, wow. I hear what you’re saying. Rebekah is in YOUR nest. She always has been. So, while I may have an empty nest, you don’t. Thank you Abba. I praise your name. You are covering her with your feathers. You have her under the protection of your mighty wings. I pray Lord that she will seek the refuge of your wings and allow your truth to be her shield and buckler. Guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I thank you that you will never let her go.
I close my journal and Bible and lay them back in the box. I make my way back to bed, tears flowing down my cheeks in thanksgiving to the God who knows and sees all and who has me, my husband and daughter in the refuge of His wings, if we will let ourselves rest there.
As I crawl back into bed, my husband mumbles, “Are you okay?”
“Yes dear, everything’s fine.”
His breath becomes even again as I snuggle into him and fall peacefully back asleep, knowing that our daughter is right where she needs to be – safe in the refuge of Her heavenly Father’s wings.
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Scripture taken from NKJV
Author’s note – based on what was shown to me during a quiet time as I read Psalm 91.
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