Tend... I love this. As chapters close, I am trying not to rush to flip the page to the next thing. (Not that I know what the next thing is.) I want to breathe, to trust, but liminal spaces are tricky. (Mind the gaps!) I heard just yesterday that adjusting to an empty nest takes five years! (Therapist Dan Allender mentioned this on Curtis Chan's Good Faith podcast.) Thank you, Kimberly, for giving voice to what I'm sensing... to go slow and tend what's right in front of me.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Laura. Your point about it taking five years to adjust was so helpful for me! I haven't been generous enough with myself regarding timing.
As a fellow new empty nester and one who the word TEND is near and dear, I could not agree more! I use TEND as my acronym to dig into the Bible because it reminds me of how God tends to our souls as the Master Gardener. So your application really resonated, Kimberly. Thank you so much for sharing.
“Instead of finding a purpose in one of the many avenues I've considered, I can simply turn to the life that is here in front of me and tend to what I've been given.”
These words are a gift to my soul today. Words of freedom and release. ❤️ Denese B.
This is very relatable. I must say, though, that I'd like to take on some new things, but still have SO much to tend to! I'm amazed at how busy one can be even after the kids have gone, and in my case, being semi-retired. I love the picture of tending "my garden" and watching things bloom. Thanks.
I'm hoping to take on some new things too:) But first, some tending. I've heard from so many empty nesting women that they're busier than ever! I hope you find the perfect balance.
FYI, self-publishing a book is one way to keep busier than ever, LOL! Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment (https://emptynestjoyride.com) will release next week! I'd love for you to check it out! (Sorry for the shameless plug.)
What a beautiful comparative contrast: TEND vs the drive for competently getting things done or starting new. Gardening has a slow, tender quality image to reflect the nuance of TEND, and I can relate. Thank you for sharing those thoughts. I'm sure they will linger with me.
I appreciate how you draw attention to a simple word and mine it for the rich meaning in it. As a fellow doing-repressed type (4w5....ugh) I am inspired by your intention to take action in meaningful ways and as someone with a voracious appetite for experiences, learning, connection, beauty, information, etc, etc... I appreciate your invitation to be with what is already in my "garden". I am ever-tempted to seek for more - more depth, more integration, more healing, more whatever that I easily miss what is already here, what has already been given and, ultimately, God's abundant generosity with me. Thank you for this reminder to be present and in turn, grateful for the gifts of this season I am in today.
Tend... I love this. As chapters close, I am trying not to rush to flip the page to the next thing. (Not that I know what the next thing is.) I want to breathe, to trust, but liminal spaces are tricky. (Mind the gaps!) I heard just yesterday that adjusting to an empty nest takes five years! (Therapist Dan Allender mentioned this on Curtis Chan's Good Faith podcast.) Thank you, Kimberly, for giving voice to what I'm sensing... to go slow and tend what's right in front of me.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Laura. Your point about it taking five years to adjust was so helpful for me! I haven't been generous enough with myself regarding timing.
As a fellow new empty nester and one who the word TEND is near and dear, I could not agree more! I use TEND as my acronym to dig into the Bible because it reminds me of how God tends to our souls as the Master Gardener. So your application really resonated, Kimberly. Thank you so much for sharing.
God as Master Gardener--what a lovely image of tending!
Kimberly, thank you. ☺️ “Tend.”
“Instead of finding a purpose in one of the many avenues I've considered, I can simply turn to the life that is here in front of me and tend to what I've been given.”
These words are a gift to my soul today. Words of freedom and release. ❤️ Denese B.
I'm so grateful this met you right where you are today. Thanks for reading!
This is very relatable. I must say, though, that I'd like to take on some new things, but still have SO much to tend to! I'm amazed at how busy one can be even after the kids have gone, and in my case, being semi-retired. I love the picture of tending "my garden" and watching things bloom. Thanks.
I'm hoping to take on some new things too:) But first, some tending. I've heard from so many empty nesting women that they're busier than ever! I hope you find the perfect balance.
FYI, self-publishing a book is one way to keep busier than ever, LOL! Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment (https://emptynestjoyride.com) will release next week! I'd love for you to check it out! (Sorry for the shameless plug.)
Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment! How exciting, Linda!!
What a beautiful comparative contrast: TEND vs the drive for competently getting things done or starting new. Gardening has a slow, tender quality image to reflect the nuance of TEND, and I can relate. Thank you for sharing those thoughts. I'm sure they will linger with me.
I appreciate how you draw attention to a simple word and mine it for the rich meaning in it. As a fellow doing-repressed type (4w5....ugh) I am inspired by your intention to take action in meaningful ways and as someone with a voracious appetite for experiences, learning, connection, beauty, information, etc, etc... I appreciate your invitation to be with what is already in my "garden". I am ever-tempted to seek for more - more depth, more integration, more healing, more whatever that I easily miss what is already here, what has already been given and, ultimately, God's abundant generosity with me. Thank you for this reminder to be present and in turn, grateful for the gifts of this season I am in today.