EMPTY NEST, FULL LIFE: Book Review {& Giveaway}

If you have a child in high school, in college, or who has recently moved out of your home (or back in again!) then you’ll want to check out this EMPTY NEST, FULL LIFE: Discovering God’s Best for Your Next book review. Plus, there’s a giveaway with this one!

If you’re like me, you may have looked at the title and thought this book is only for empty-nesters. It is not!

I’m so impressed by this book. Let me tell you why.

The Author of EMPTY NEST, FULL LIFE

EMPTY NEST, FULL LIFE is the first book I’ve read written by Jill Savage. But it is the fourteenth book she’s had published. You can learn more about what she writes and receive several free, helpful resources on her website, jillsavage.org.

Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families. She’s featured on Focus on the Family, Crosswalk.com, Family Life Today and in Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Jill and her husband, Mark, have five children and eight grandchildren. 

In this book, she shares heartbreaking and heart-building stories about her family as well as her transitioning roles as a mom, as a grandmother, and as a wife.

The Contents

This 275-page, softcover book published by Moody Publishers is divided into two sections: “Let’s Go!” and “Hold On!”

After the introduction, “Getting Started: The Roller Coaster of Emotions,” the contents are as follows:

PART 1: LET’S GO

PART 2: HOLD ON!

Each chapter ends with a a specific scripture, a takeaway, and a short prayer.

Included in the appendix is a section titled “Junk in the Trunk,” which is a list of questions to help readers reflect and determine what “junk” they’re bringing into their marriages that isn’t helpful.

Also, at the end of the book is a helpful discussion guide should you want to use the book in a small group. I do wish this section had been mentioned earlier in the book or in a reminder note at the end of each chapter. Not everyone reads the page of contents before beginning a book and they could easily miss this resource.

A Few Highlights

Readers will be delighted that this book doesn’t focus solely on the empty nest years.

In fact, the first half of this book addresses issues families may deal with as they are preparing to launch their kids from the nest. Savage shares lessons she’s learned along the way with her own family.

She candidly discusses what parents may feel when their young adults choose to behave differently than how they’ve been taught. And, when they choose not to believe the biblical truths in which they’ve been raised. Then, she offers wisdom for coping and practical ways to show unconditional love.

               “Accepting doesn’t mean agreeing with; it simply means acknowledging and recognizing the reality of your child’s circumstances.” – Jill Savage, Empty Nest, Full Life

Savage includes tips on how to affirm our kids by keeping our mouths shut about our personal preferences. She encourages parents to save their words for things that really matter.

               “Don’t like your son’s beard? Keep it shut.” – Empty Nest, Full Life

The author also offers wise advice on how to set boundaries to prevent contributing to a sense of entitlement or enabling our kids to become permanent dependents.

She shows worrisome parents when and how to “lovingly detach” from their children’s problems and hand them over to God. 

               “Do I really trust that God is sovereign and everything is under His control? Do I believe He can do a better job at making things happen than I can?” – Empty Nest, Full Life

Throughout the book, Savage captures our mama-hearts as we read of her family’s struggles and joys. But, she doesn’t leave us to our emotions. She offers practical advice and biblical wisdom we can apply to our own lives.

Furthermore, in the second part of the book, she talks about strengthening marriages, building friendships and discovering new projects and ways of serving the Lord.

Recommendation

Jill Savage presents several fresh perspectives for parents. However, a few may cut to the heart before the healing can begin. You may not agree with every viewpoint, but there’s so much she lovingly packed in to this little book, there’s sure to be something that will resonate with you. The scripture-infused pages will surely speak to your mama-heart.

I highly recommend this book for moms of: high school students, college students, young marrieds, and those who have left home to forge their own way.

In addition, when you give a gift to a high school or college graduate—also give their mom a copy of this book.

When a mom comes to you grieving because she feels “lost” without her child living at home, hand her a copy of this book.

Notably, this book is helpful for believers and nonbelievers. It clearly and gently points to the greatest parental love and the saving grace of our heavenly Father.

Giveaway

Normally, I randomly select winners from this blog’s list of email subscribers. However, for this giveaway, everyone who leaves a comment below will have their name placed in the drawing. I’ll select a winner on May 29, 2021. And, as usual, there are no strings attached. We pay for delivery. If you win, you just enjoy the book!

So, remember to leave a comment! What challenges or joys do you see with empty-nesters?

Winner!

Congratulations to Tracy R. ! Your email address was randomly selected from this blog’s subscriber list as the winner of Empty Nest, Full Life! I’ll be emailing you about where I should mail the book. Yay!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in return for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.