It's nest-emptying season as little kids begin kindergarten, bigger kids begin elementary school, big kids start high school and the really big kids head for campuses across our nation and world. Moms and Dads feel a loss and there's grief--it's to be expected. Kids haven't a clue, except the kindergartners with a little "I don't want to leave my Mom. I'm scared" feeling!

So what's it like out there in the big world? Mama worries; Mama's kids wonder--but off they go, into a new world of adventure and learning. It's another school year--who knows all the apprehensions, anxieties and adventurous spirits that young and old experience with "new beginnings"--for whether it's mom or her kids, it's there! Who KNOWS how it really feels? Is there ANYONE who can identify/relate, actually help us through it all?

Yes, yes--a thousand times yes! For "once upon a time"--and it's NO fairy tale--a loving heavenly Father said to His Son, "Go! Leave this beautiful place called heaven. There's alot of people down on earth who need Our love, Our help--and Our redemptive plan. Go--save the world; bring them back to me--I've got a wonderful plan, but You must leave home for it to work!"

And leave He did. Our Savior left the ivory palaces to come to our dirty, grungy world...right where we live. He left the nest--but it was necessary, for God had a plan, a plan with PURPOSE, to one day FILL that nest again--with folk like you and me! Thank God He emptied heaven's nest so WE could be included--and thank God that HE knows how it feels! Remember, whether you're a mom, dad, grandma, grandpa emptying the nest--or you're the kid leaving the nest--He knows!

College student, away from home for the first time--after that initial fling of freedom, you're going to miss home! Honest! But take comfort--for He knows! He's been there...Jesus left His home in heaven--with purpose--and He moves you out of the nest also with purpose--for the work He is preparing you to do!

Have a great school year in that great big NEW nest God has prepared for you....Come back once in a while, OK? Hamburgers will be on the grill, pizza in the fridge, pasta on the table--and plenty of love in our hearts! We're going to make it, you know--for we serve the God of the empty nest--He KNOWS--and HE'S gonna help us all! Believe it--and have a great year!

P.S. If you're not a "nester," forward this devo on to someone you know who IS--it may help them more than you will ever know!

Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word

A Bible verse for WHATEVER is going on in YOUR nest today!

"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him (Deuteronomy 32:11)."

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16,17)."

Draw from the Well--a song and a prayer for renewing strength for this day

He Knows Me Completely--lyrics & tune--now playing on this page.

See also "He's MY Child Too!"

Lord, all the "nesters" of our world come before You today, some with apprehensive, anxious hearts, some with anticipating, adventurous spirits--we gather before Your Throne knowing that You KNOW us, better than we know ourselves! You've been there--You've sent YOUR Son from Heaven's home so we too might be included in your heavenly plan. Thank You for being there for each of us--wherever in the world we find ourselves this day--YOU are there--and we thank You, In Jesus' Name, Amen."

All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Copyright 2000 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
Not to be copied without permission.

TODAY'S FEATURED LINKS

Other "empty nest" devotionals from Peggie's Place
Ohhh, God!
Roots and Wings...for Real!
He's MY Child Too!

Family.org - Empty Nest Parenting

Empty Nest Moms
Six Steps to Surviving an Empty Nest - Parenting - MSNBC.com
On the Subject of Empty Nest - Retirement with a Purpose
Articles on Empty Nest - TroubledWith.com

God's Great Big Nest--on the Web, around the world!
Multilingual Christian Resources at Peggie's Place!

A FRIENDLY FEATURE:
Surf over to my friend Barb's and enjoy her daily devotionals.
A Daily Dose of God's Word from Barbara's Entourage

A SEASONAL FEATURE: Peggie Breaks for SEPTEMBER!

AND DON'T FORGET THE SENSATIONAL FEATURE--CHOCOLATE, OF COURSE!
Featured devo from Peggie's Place Confessions of a Chocoholic!

Please e-mail me to say hi.
Thanks for visiting the Well today! Hope you were refreshed, and you will return!
I'll be waiting for you--and so will He! God bless!

Have a great day--and remember there's nothing that will happen today
that you and your Lord cannot handle together!

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Visit with my friend Barb! Food from the Master's Table

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Pastors Wives' Prayer and Praise Page
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Dare to be a Treasure Hunter--by my good friend Vickie

Peggie's List of Devotional Resources

With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place.
The tune is entitled, "He Knows Us Completely."

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Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other Christian pages. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.

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Copyright 1996-2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.