Hey there!
Thank you so much for clicking that button! I’m so glad you did! I want to encourage you.
I’ve been through a lot of hard stuff, but God has helped me endure. Maybe you’ll find a nugget of hope tucked between my words that will remind you how much God loves you!
Simply put I am embarrassed to tell you about myself, but when the Lord led me to this writing gig, He impressed upon me to be real; therefore, I’m not going to paint you a picture of how rosy my walk with Christ is or how perfect my life has been.
I am a mess needless to say. But I am a forgiven mess. And maybe you can relate to some of my messes, maybe not. But I pledge to always be honest with you on this forum.
My husband is the most hilarious man I’ve ever met. We’re still going strong after 36 years, but we sure brought some baggage to the church that day when we said our I do’s. My guy is a Vietnam Combat Vet and I am so proud of his service and sacrifice. He’s suffered a lot of loss in his lifetime, but he’s still kicking strong.
My first-born tells me I’m a special kind of crazy. I’ve got a lot of hang ups to be frank. I’m ridiculously sentimental. I can’t throw anything away. These melancholy tendencies lean toward hoarding in boxes; however, I haven’t given in to the belief that I am “as seen on tv” dysfunctional. I can walk through my house without having to step over heart warming debris; there’s been no dead bodies found under heaps of scrap books, yet.
I was a horrible helicopter mom when my boys were teens. Looking back, I’m a little embarrassed. I can still see the rolling eyes as I reminded their friends to drive careful because they were carrying precious cargo.
My hairy man boys still giggle and refer to me as the TV mom on “Malcolm in the Middle.” For years I had no clue what an epic goofball I really was until I watched a few episodes of Malcolm. I get it now. I was obsessed with giving them a wonderful, drama free childhood. I wanted them to feel loved and cherished. I smothered them to death.
For too long, life was all about my boys until the Lord revealed how misdirected my affections were and how it grieved Him to take second place. It was hard to admit I loved my kids more than I loved Him, but thankfully, He was merciful to me, exposing my sin after breaking my heart a few times. I can honestly say now that He is everything to me.
My boys left the nest years ago and my youngest son blessed me with a precious daughter-in-law. But those other two hairy man boys are looking for their wives. I’m praying it happens soon before they get set in their ways. I’m a grandmother and I’m so proud of my grandkids. They’re not only smart, but they’re hilarious like all the Porter men in my life. We laugh A LOT!
I used to be a perfectionist but the Lord is slowly healing me of this disorder as well. I imagine He thinks it’s comical to give three strong-willed boys to an obsessive compulsive fusspot like me.
I’m a book nerd and a movie fan. I am fiercely loyal to a fault and zealously conservative to the bone. I don’t see a grey area, I only see black and white, right or wrong, yea or nay. This old gal will never be wishy-washy.
I grew up with an unhealthy fear of God. I was taught God would get me for everything I did. To be honest, it messed me up. When I finally shot down the lie that God was standing watch with a big lightning rod ready to zap me at any moment – literally my whole world changed. Praise God I get it now … my how sweet His Grace is!
Though I am terribly flawed, I am the one you want in your corner when you’re going through persecution. I’m always for the underdog, and I cringe at favoritism, injustice and brownnosers. I’ve been in church leadership for over 30 years and I go out of my way to be fair and use all the talent the Lord allows me to guide and help develop. I have a great distaste for cliques and strongly feel there should be clique bouncers who stand guard at the church doors every Sunday.
I love to fellowship but I love the quiet and treasure my alone time. I don’t play the radio in the car when I’m alone and I can go days without turning on a TV. I am both introverted and extroverted if there is such a thing. But you can bet the farm, I’m a stickler on being kind, courteous, and using manners.
I have a great passion for studying Spiritual Warfare. Learning about the authority I have over Satan through the blood of Jesus, literally rocked my world. The enemy may try to push me around at times but he no longer has strongholds in my life; therefore, I am on a mission to expose him for what he is – a thief, a killer, and a destroyer. Too many Christians live defeated because they don’t understand their authority over Satan.
I teach women’s bible study, lead a theatre team, I love the church and I love to study God’s word and journal. Writing is how I work out my salvation. Writing is how the Lord speaks and teaches me. Writing is how I heal and muddle through all the bad places in life.
Trusting God and embracing His will is what He’s been teaching me for the last five years. It’s been so hard. There’s been a lot of loss and a heap of hurt. We’ve gone through tragedy, we experienced chaos at the enemy’s hand and sickness. This Covid junk just about took me and my husband out. We lost a lot of church family and close friends to this blasted virus, our precious daughter-in-law lost her 51-year-old mamma. But GOD. My what mercy He lavishes on me when my heart is downcast.
I believe laughter is the next best thing other than spending time with Jesus. I am thankful God gave me a sense of humor to balance the not so good times. Regardless of the pain, He is a just and trustworthy Father who leaves nothing undone – you can take that truth to the bank!
So if I haven’t totally scared you off with my neurotic inclinations, I so hope you’ll stay a while and read a blog or two. I’m playing catch up – I’m getting back to blogging. I took a long break after my son-in-law and step-daughter were tragically killed. So bear with me – I building new habits again.
I really don’t know why the Lord compels me to be bold and share my junk, but He has made it ever so clear to just write and be me. I guess a big motivation is that I don’t want to waste the pain – it’s been so costly.
So I hope you find encouragement. I pray you’re enlightened by the Holy Spirit! And I truly hope you find a few laughs between the lines. He’s a good, good Father. So take heart – you’re on His radar and He’s heard every prayer you’ve prayed.
God bless and I pray you find favor, fun and the Father in all your reading adventures!