I am entering a new season of my life. For the last 28 years, I have consistently been the mother with children under her roof. Not a day went by in which I did not see a child or a night when I did not look at one before I closed my eyes. Everyone tells you to be ready for the empty nest but empty rooms and chairs don’t feel the same. Sure, there is an absence in the physical space, but there is something biological that shifts.
I was challenged during my devotion time by Joshua Chapter 3. There are so many things that came from my personal deep dive into this chapter. When I read, I tend to go down the same type of rabbit hole that we do when we get lost on social media. So, a scripture at the top of my notebook paper ends up with lines, sentences, words, more scriptures, and color-coded blocks that tell a story I seem to have unlocked. This is the result of my Bishop and Pastor encouraging us to read and study the Bible for ourselves. Nowhere in this chapter does the experience of being a mother with growing children come through the pages. But I could not help but sit with the thought of how different it is to be prepared and to be ready.
The Scriptures: Joshua 1:11; Joshua 3:5 KJV
*All words are defined using The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
Joshua tells the Israelites to prepare to go and possess the land that the Lord has given them. The word prepare means* to be firm, establish, or prepare or fix a thing. The responsibility of the people was to establish themselves for what was to come.
As a mother, wife, and just because of who I am, I have prepared for this season of my life. In little ways, I established our traditions, beliefs, behaviors, and standards for my children and our home. From doing laundry to being vigilant when in crowded spaces, all of these considerations were given with the subtle knowledge that one day, my children would live lives of their own.
It doesn’t happen overnight. In Joshua 1:11, the Israelites were told that they had only days before they would cross the Jordan. Sometimes, God’s promise comes that quickly, and other times, it takes years to manifest.
But being prepared and being ready are two different things. In Joshua 3:5, the people are told to “sanctify” themselves because tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among them. He is saying, “Get Ready.” The word sanctify means* to be set apart or consecrated.
At this point, it is not about what you prepared. There is no time for that. Get your things together, get up, and move. Pack your bags, put on your shoes, water the plants, and feed the goldfish because tomorrow, “WE OUT!”
There are times when life requires us to set ourselves apart in response to the very clear message of Scripture so that we can see the things God has prepared and promised. As much as I wanted to stand in the door and block each of my children from going out into a world I tried to prepare them for, they had to separate from me. God has called them to so much more.
I am learning that in my own life, this may mean fasting from social media, food, or spending money altogether. It may mean disconnecting from relationships that are hindering me from where God is sending me. But most often, the preparation season has shown me what is coming. This makes the “Girl, it’s time to go!” a little less hard when I have been obedient from the start.
You are not ready if you are never prepared. This season is preparing you to get ready for the next one. Pay attention!
Your obedience to prepare and be ready is rooted in the experience of a previous season. Remember, a generation ago in Exodus, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea with Moses.(Go read your bible!) So, they already had a foundation of faith in what God could do based on His history. However, they were now in a season of learning about Joshua’s leadership. Their faith fueled their obedience to the instructions, and God connected those instructions to His promise.
Faith comes before obedience. Your faith in this current season is built on how much you trust the God who carried you through the last one.
In every season, God provides instruction with a promise attached. Our responsibility in all that we are called and created to do is to follow the instructions; He will keep His promises. As a parent, the Christian faith truly does live in real time. God is the original empty-nester.
If you want to remember what God promised, go back to what He said and the instructions He gave you. It’s in there!
My Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for the seasons of preparation, even when I didn’t know that was what You were doing. Forgive me for the times I was disobedient because I did not understand. Prepare me to hear Your instructions and believe Your promises as I lean into trusting You more. Thank You for being gracious toward me as I build my faith in You. I know You hold this season of my life in Your hand, just as You have held all the ones before it and will hold those still to come. In obedience, I submit my will to Yours because Your plans are better than mine. I honor and praise You for Your grace and love through this situation. I know You are in control, and I find peace in Your direction for the path ahead.
Amen.
Disclaimer: In appreciation of your time and with deep consideration for your journey, I engage with my authentic voice. This was not written or generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
