Exodus 13:17-22: Road Takes A Detour? Trust God’s GPS!
As Israel left Egypt, God didn’t lead them along the fastest route. Scripture says He intentionally avoided the shorter path because He knew they weren’t ready for the battles ahead (Exodus 13:17). Instead, He guided them gently through the wilderness, never once withdrawing His presence. A cloud led them by day, and fire by night — a constant reminder that God was near, aware, and involved.
For many empty nesters, this journey feels familiar…
Advent Week 3: Finding Joy Beyond The Familiar
The third week of Advent shifts from contemplation to celebration. The rose candle—the Candle of Joy—reminds us that joy breaks through even in seasons that feel uncertain or unfamiliar. And for many empty nesters, joy is exactly what feels hardest to hold onto.
Exodus 13:1-16: Set Apart For God
In Exodus 13, God teaches Israel a rhythm they will need for the rest of their lives: put God first. By consecrating the firstborn and observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Israel learns to remember who saved them, who sustained them, and who now leads them into a new season. Everything changes after the Exodus—new landscape, new identity, new dependence. But God anchors them with practices that keep their hearts aligned with Him.
Advent Week 2: Peace In The Changing Season
The second week of Advent focuses on Peace, and for those experiencing an empty nest, this theme takes on extra significance. When the house becomes silent, that quietness can feel unsettling. The routines that once gave your life structure—such as school schedules, shared meals, and family noise—have changed. What once felt peaceful might now feel like loss, and what once brought rest can seem like unfamiliar stillness.
But Advent teaches…
Exodus 7-12: When God Confronts What We Won’t Let Go
Exodus 7–12 depicts a tense showdown between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt. Through ten escalating plagues, God demonstrates His absolute authority over creation, Pharaoh’s will, and false idols. Each plague targets a specific area Egypt believed it controlled—water, crops, animals, health, light, and life itself.
Pharaoh’s stubborn heart reveals humanity’s resistance to God’s sovereignty, but God uses that resistance to magnify His glory. The final plague—the death of the firstborn—leads to the Passover, where the blood of the lamb shields Israel from judgment. Deliverance finally comes not through Moses’s effort, but through God’s power and promise.
Advent Week 1: Hope When The House Feels Quiet
Advent begins with Hope—a light rising in the middle of uncertainty. For many empty nesters, this season mirrors Israel’s waiting. Life feels different now. The home is quieter. Traditions are evolving. The rhythm of daily life has changed, and sometimes the transition feels unfamiliar.
Exodus 4-6 Learning To Trust The God Who Sends
Exodus 4–6 traces Moses’ continued resistance to his calling and God’s unwavering patience in equipping him for the task. Moses fears rejection, questions his speech, and even asks God to send someone else. In response, God appoints Aaron as his spokesman and gives signs to confirm His power. Yet even after obedience, Moses faces Pharaoh’s hard heart, Israel’s disappointment, and his own discouragement. God’s message remains constant: “I am the LORD.” His identity and promises—not human success—guarantee the outcome.
When things worsen before they improve, God reminds Moses that deliverance is a process. Redemption takes shape in steps—through obedience, persistence, and trust in the One who has spoken.
National Adoption Month: Why This Month Means So Much to Us as Adoptive (and Midlife) Parents
Every November, when National Adoption Month comes around, something deep within me stirs. Maybe it’s the memories that rise to the surface… maybe it’s gratitude… or maybe it’s simply the reminder that God weaves families together in ways we could never orchestrate on our own.
Whatever the reason, this month always makes me pause.
Because adoption isn’t just a legal moment—it’s a lifelong journey of love, surrender, courage, and refinement. And for many of us stepping into midlife or the empty nest years, this month brings up emotions we didn’t expect.
The Quiet Emotions Adoptive Parents Carry Into Midlife
Adoption is beautiful—yes. But let’s not sugarcoat it. Adoption is also complicated, stretching, refining, sanctifying, and sometimes heartbreaking.
The older we get, the more tender certain realities become:
The years feel shorter.
The questions feel heavier.
The desire for connection grows deeper.
And if there’s distance—especially with an adult child or their spouse—it stings in a way words can’t quite touch.
Behind every adoption story are layers of joy, loss, hope, and healing. And if you’ve ever felt unseen or unsure in your journey, hear this clearly:
You’re not alone, and you’re not failing. God sees what others don’t.
