Sometimes when I have a lot to say, I can’t say anything at all. There are 78 thousand words in my brain dump file, so I could pull out an idea or three to share with you. Instead, I’m saying goodbye. Goodbye to the porch.
When I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, the doctor prescribed 60 milligrams of prednisone which I took for two years. Guess what 60 milligrams of prednisone does? My face puffed up, sleep was impossible and mood swings, well there were plenty of reasons for those. Anyway, the porch was my sanctuary. With my words, I welcomed you to join me.
Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of writing. God sure has a funny way of granting the desires of our hearts, doesn’t He? While I sat on the porch, words I wrote flowed out of my heart onto the keyboard. Now it’s sort of part of my identity.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
Today, I’m saying goodbye to the porch. Ironically, I’m not sad. Oh believe me, I cried enough tears over the last four years to drown a camel. But this is not an end, it’s a beginning. I’m saying goodbye to my former life and starting over. And let me tell you, a fresh start feels good. Really good.
“Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.” Philippians 4:7 MSG
There truly is a peace that passes understanding and it comes from the Lord. That peace is more valuable than anything I own. Often I catch myself smiling for no reason; I’m happy. Not because I’m glad I’m where I am, or for the reasons that got me here, but glad because there’s hope. It’s not a hope that kills, but a hope that heals. Hope comes from trusting that God has plan, and it’s a good plan, even if it’s not my plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)
For the last few weeks I’ve boxed up thirty-four years of life. Maybe you’ve noticed how quiet I’ve been, maybe not. Well, here’s the deal – I didn’t have internet. Did you get that? I didn’t have internet. Good grief, it was awful. Last week a technician showed up at my new house and hooked up my cable. Can I hear an, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord!” Then he looked around and reminded me, I’m in a good place.
Pain brought me here, but here is good.
Maybe you need to know that. Pain has a purpose, so don’t waste it. If you’re hurting, there’s hope. Out of pain comes undeniable and incomparable joy, if you look for it and embrace it. Before the young man left he said, “But look where you ended up.” Yeah, that’s it. Look where I ended up.
“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21 (NIV)
So goodbye porch, hello fresh start. I’m clinging to hope and smiling all the while. I hope you are too. If not, look up. Then come see me sometime.
Pain brought me to a good place #hope Click To Tweet
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help?” Psalm 121:1 (NKJV)
I agree with the cable guy 🙂
Hahaha Of course
Blessings to you. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
So glad we connected. I’ll keep writing, just taking a break
Congratulations on new beginnings! I know it has been a hard and difficult journey but watching you cling to God and knowing He has great plans for you has been such an encouragement to me. I completely understand the no internet thing. We were without internet for 6 weeks AND we lived in a horse trailer for 2 weeks during our transition. The no internet was the easy part. Trying to figure out if my clothes were in the car, small closet in horse trailer or Tupperware container in our storage Pod on our land was the hard part. Thank goodness for messy buns and scrubs. That was pretty much my work attire. I hope you enjoy your new home. Love you, Janet.
Well I have no TVs and haven’t turned one on in over a month. But the internet about killed me. I’d love for you to come visit!
New beginings can be hard and good at the same time. May your new house feel and become home to you. May you make precious memories there, and may you find your new “porch” space.
Visiting you is definitely on the agenda.
We will get together soon, for sure
Sounds good.
I understand your uncertainty about ‘leaving your ‘porch’ but it seems to me that porch was your safe place to share your heart! Congratulations on the strength and courage you have found and now you no longer need your porch! God has such a firm, yet gentle way of moving us physically and emotionally through our life of service to Him! Your lovely porch has always been your heart where you felt closest and safest to our Lord. Your porch will always be a special part of yours and with us, your readers. What could be more welcoming to visitors than an open, friendly porch; you had simply welcomed us into your open and friendly heart. I, for one, have enjoyed stopping by and spending a few moments each week on your porch, but perhaps you now are inviting us into your warm and sunny sun porch. The important fact is, wherever you are, we want to join you from time to time! Thank you for sharing such a sad, nostalgic and fun part of yourself and Home! God bless❤️🙏
This is so beautiful. Thank you for your words
I pray that you walked away – – leaving the pain and sadness behind you. You have been such an inspiration to me and I know to so many others that even when you were walking through the deep, dark valley of despair, you were constantly clinging to The Rock, Christ Jesus. There you found hope and shared it with all of us to let us know that regardless of our current circumstances, Christ will never leave us or forsake us.
I know you will find a “God spot” in your new home, perhaps looking out the back window at that gorgeous view. There you cannot help but see God’s majesty!!!!
I am excited for you as you begin this new chapter in your life – – – new beginnings – – and perhaps even an entire new book of your new found life.
May God continue to bless you and bring you peace and joy!!!!!!
Congratulations on your new place and new life. I’m going to miss the porch and you. You are truly an inspiration.
I want to wish you well on your new porch. You have been an inspiration to so many. Looking for more inspiration from your new porch one day. We love you for your self. God bless you. Lana
Congratulations and here’s to new beginnings! Thank you for sharing. Your words always encourage me. This morning I woke up wrestling with something and God put a piece of Psalm 121 in my head and heart. When I read your post and especially the verse at the end it reminded me that God sees me and knows and He’s in control and it’s good even when it’s hard….just like you said. God used you and your words to confirm something He was already saying to me… so thank you! May God richly bless you in your new place. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great new chapter!