I’m nearing the end of a very good book.

Pages are being devoured as I approach the final chapter. I consider myself a fast reader but these particular pages have taken on a life of their own. Whether I want to or not I’m approaching…

The. End.

The book title?

Several would do——–The Story of Us. The Three Musketeers. Our Crazy Life.

You see, Doc and I have exactly seventy-one and a half days left until all three kids move out of the house.

I guess you could call it empty nest.

I’ve decided to call it full.

A gift of infertility is that you learn the real meaning of empty.

• Empty was wondering if I would ever become a Mom. Full was a Fall day in 1995. It was the first time I held our precious, adopted son, Matthew.

• Empty was abandoning the hope that I would see my husband’s eyes in one of our children. Full was the Spring of 1996. It was obvious to everyone, our biological daughter, Taylor, looked just like her Daddy.

Empty was the lonely Christmas tree of a childless couple. Full was the Christmas stocking that cradled our biological son James. Nurses grinned as they handed over the bundle nestled in red felt.

Of course, sometimes a book, movie or story is SO good you have fight for full when you know the end is approaching.

You don’t want it to be over.

You can’t help yourself.

There’s a hollow in your stomach and a sorrow in your soul that wants to go back and read it…see it…live it again.

But God reminds us,

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

These turning pages are a part of why you’ve heard less from me. I was at the threshold of one season ending and another beginning.

God whispered that my best “DoAhead” would be to step back, just a bit, from writing and speaking. The margin allowed precious time for things like:

Senior Year…

Unexpected Surgery…

Summer Intern…

Living…

Loving…

Turning pages.

Thanks for your patience as I miss a post (or two) now and again! I’m not going anywhere. In fact, behind the scenes some things are ramping up.

But for now, my best yes is obedience to the DoAhead He’s placed at the forefront ——–seventy-one and a half days of investing in the ones under my own roof.

How about you?

If you’re sensing a change in direction or a pause I hope this encourages you. God isn’t surprised by it. In fact, it’s possible He’s orchestrated it. Today it’s my prayer that we’ll trust in His sovereignty and rest in His peace.

A Love That Will Grow

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:3,4 & 6 (MSG)

Your DoAhead Friend,

Cindy