Hey friends, welcome to the Graceology with Gwen Smith podcast.

I'm Gwen Smith and I'm really glad you're here.

Each week I host two different shows, one with incredible guests and meaningful conversations,

and one called A Moment of Grace, where

it's just me, talking to just you, in a reflective, devotional style to help connect those

busy, bruised, and broken places to the beautiful hope of Jesus. So now I invite you to sit

back and take a deep breath as I share with you a moment of grace.

There was a time I would hide in the bathroom for an ounce of quiet and reprieve.

An intense time when diapers drooped, binkies bobbled, and toddlers toddled all over the busy, boisterous Smithhouse.

Well, those days are gone.

Now Brad and I have three young adult children, two in college and one just married.

And Brad and I are figuring out how to settle into this new season with just each other.

Empty Nest.

I get why they call it that, but I don't think it's an empty season at all.

On the contrary, it's quite full.

Full of exciting dreams and complicated feelings.

Full of unknowns, uncertainties, and unrest.

Full of stretching, stirring, and stillness, full of loving and letting go in the

most exhilarating and exhaustingly wonderful ways. So we release, rally, and rest, knowing God goes

before us, even in the empty, often especially in the empty.

We step into the crisp newness of today and the newness of a new year,

confident that the Lord who satisfies us in the morning with his unfailing love pours comfort into souls swollen with sadness.

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