· By Mr. Sim · ~2 min read
When the Children Have Grown: A Christian Mother's Honest Reflection on the Empty Nest in Johannesburg
When the Children Have Grown: A Christian Mother's Honest Reflection on the Empty Nest in Johannesburg
The Scene
The last child has moved out on a Tuesday in October. The room is empty. The uniform is in the cupboard. The mother in Fourways sits in the kitchen with a cup of tea that is going cold and a feeling she cannot name.
Psalm 136:1 — *"Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His love endures forever."*
The South African Christian in the situations described above is not alone. The Bible has been speaking to these situations for two thousand years. The Wednesday Bible study in Parkmore has been hearing these passages read, discussed, and applied for ten years. What follows is a distillation of what the Bible says and what we have learned from the journey.
The Bible's Picture of Motherhood
The Bible has the highest view of motherhood. The children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). The mother holds the children for a season and then releases them.
The Honest Grief of the Empty Nest
The mother who feels the grief is not being unspiritual. She is being human. The Bible does not say that the mother should be relieved when the children leave. The grief is real, named, and legitimate.
What the Mother Can Hold Onto
The covenant does not end. The mother is still a mother. The mother has a relationship with God that is entirely her own.
Practical Steps for the Season
Allow the grief. Find a new rhythm. Maintain the connection with the children, but change the nature of the connection. Join a community. Pray differently.
A Prayer for the Mother in the Empty Season
Father, you know this season. We thank you for the children you have given us. We release them into your hands. We ask for the courage to find ourselves again. We ask for the community to sustain us. Amen.
A Closing Prayer
Father, we bring this struggle to you. We ask for your wisdom, your strength, and your presence. We ask for the community to hold us. We ask for the hope that does not disappoint. Amen.
*Johannesburg Bible Study Church meets online every Wednesday at 7:30pm for a Bible study that is intentionally local and biblically grounded. The Bible study is free, open to anyone, and free to join or to leave. Call Mr. Sim on +27 77 487 1295 or Ms. Dora on +27 67 442 4461.*
Community notes
From people who have shown up.
Honest, lightly edited, with permission. To leave a comment, use the form below — your note goes straight to our team email and we will post it here once we have confirmed with you.
Naledi P.
Parkmore
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I attended my first Sunday picnic with my family. The vibe was warm without being overwhelming. The kids ran around Mushroom Farm Park, the adults talked, and someone brought extra blankets for the cool afternoon.
Johan v.d.M.
Sandton
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The Korean class has become our family Sunday ritual. My wife and I take the class, the kids play. It is the only Sunday we look forward to in the month.