49. Repurposing The Empty Nest
Episode 49
When we’re walking with Jesus- everything in our lives and marriages can be repurposed and redeemed! Today’s guest, Michelle Rayburn, shares that message along with many other empty nest nuggets of wisdom.
And listen to the end of the podcast to find out about the book she is giving away to one of my lucky listeners!
Michelle Rayburn is an author and podcaster who emphasizes how life’s difficulties can turn out to be opportunities to learn and grow. Michelle has an MA in ministry leadership with a pastoral counseling emphasis. She’s been married to Phil for more than 31 years, and they’ve successfully launched two sons into adulthood.
You can find Michelle:
Instagram @michellerayburn
Facebook @michelle.rayburn.author
Show Notes
Quotes and take-aways:
On the empty nest: I had been preparing for that. As having boys, I knew their heart wouldn’t belong to me, it would belong to their future wife, and so I prepared my heart for that knowing that my job was going to be to release them and be there for them whenever they needed to talk.
It is a blessing to see my kids shine … that blesses me because it tells me they have found purpose in life so I am vicariously blessed to watch them grow and shine.
I have found significance in being involved in different ways in my church.
As empty nesters, you can have a ministry in your own family just to your children by helping them - it’s not giving advice, it’s not telling them what to do - but really modeling. And then being there for those moments when they’re at the rock bottom and need someone to encourage them to work it out with their spouse. Don’t tell me about it- but work it out!
The listening skills is really where we get our best ideas of where we can serve others in this second half of life.
Lessons of self publishing: it’s actually a lot more work than you think.
I’ve learned to go one step at a time... I’ve learned to stop saying never because God has shown ways to do things that shock me.
That is a role we can fulfill… it’s not advice, it’s somebody to care and notice and hear the struggles and walk alongside. And I think we minimize what a ministry there is there. We think it has to be an official mentoring ministry. But really it’s in that every day, just looking for people who say something and there’s a clue that there’s a person that is looking for something.
It doesn’t have to be an official ministry. There is no law against going up to people standing by themselves and just saying, “I don’t think we’ve met yet.” Sometimes it’s helpful to have a couple of questions. I’ll usually say, “Are you around here or are you a transplant?” That is a ministry that doesn’t have to be an official title in most places and yet it is so valuable to have someone just care. You can do it in the grocery store!
There is so many places that just the words, “You’re doing a great job,” can be a ministry… It is amazing how much ministry there is in the every day life.
Your first ministry is to each other when the kids leave home. And then you figure out what you are going to do together. Because together strong is so much better than going separate directions.
Habit to Keep Moving Forward With Jesus:
Look for reminders so I don’t forget the God is with me.
Use dings and alarms on phone to remember God is with me.
Michelle’s Recommended Books:
Books by Michelle:
Michelle’s Podcast:
When Michelle interviewed me: Perfection Is Not A Destination
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