No empty nest

When our younger son left home about four years ago, it was a wrench, but because our elder son was still living with us at the time, I didn’t give the so-called “empty nest syndrome” much prayerful thought. But a few years later, when our elder son bought his own home and was preparing to move out, I knew I needed to pray deeply about this new chapter in my life.

Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, assures us: “False fears are foes­—truth tatters those, / When understood” (Poems, p. 79). I realized I needed to examine the false fears suggesting themselves to me. The fears that immediately came to thought expressed themselves as feeling cut off from our sons, feeling alone, and the suggestions that I would no longer be needed or have a sense of purpose. But then I remembered that Mrs. Eddy says: “Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 66). I understood that both our sons were moving forward under God’s guidance and care, and if our sons’ departure from the family home was Mind-impelled and Love-directed, then the blessings from their right activity would have to include me and my husband. I prayed with the truth that, as the hymn tells us, “No child can ever stray beyond / The compass of infinitude” (Rosemary Cobham, Christian Science Hymnal Supplement, No.443). I knew I was also included in that compass of infinitude, the allness of Love, so in truth my sons and I could never be separated; we would always be at one with God and therefore at one with each other. None of God’s beloved ideas can ever be cut off from or separated from good.

One morning, as I was praying about this situation, a few words came to mind in the shape of a poem. I grabbed pencil and paper, and wrote the words down as they unfolded to my waiting thought. It was as if Mind was speaking directly to me about our sons. This was the poem that came to me that morning:

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Living Christian Science Today
Freedom from turbulence and fear
Living Christian Science Today
Never cut off from eternal life
Living Christian Science Today
‘Let there be light’
Living Christian Science Today
Losing our fear of weather
Living Christian Science Today
On the road with God
Living Christian Science Today
Healing of the past is no human ‘do over’
Living Christian Science Today
Understanding God’s limitless supply
Living Christian Science Today
Negotiating a job offer with integrity and prayer
Living Christian Science Today
Safe after being held up at gunpoint
Living Christian Science Today
The baskets are full
Living Christian Science Today
The snake in the pew
Living Christian Science Today
Right where you are, there is healing
Living Christian Science Today
Letting go, leaning on God, and moving forward
Living Christian Science Today
Love at work in prison
Living Christian Science Today
What Proverbs taught me about my career
Living Christian Science Today
An open letter to a friend
Living Christian Science Today
Freedom from fear of volunteering in prison
Living Christian Science Today
Out with negativity, in with love
Living Christian Science Today
Do something about the mental ‘litter’
Living Christian Science Today
Safe during an electrical storm

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit