Porch #116 * The Transition Edition

A Christ-centered weekend newsletter . . . gentle conversation, calming snapshots, uplifting linkage, & occasional surprises.

Dearest friends, welcome to my new online home!

Here we are up and running. I thought the transition to Substack would take two or three weeks, but it’s been smoother than expected. Once I got the subscription list moved over (without going into a panic thank you very much), it’s been a steady path forward.

Sometimes it’s better to dive in head first and do the dreaded stuff sooner rather than later. This allows us to breathe a huge sigh of relief and move ahead free-er, lighter, and more confident. Carrying the heavy burden of the unknown for too long weighs us down with apprehension and anxiety. Worst-case scenarios dance in our heads and our progress slows to a crawl.

In the process of setting up, I’ve reconnected with some old friends and many of you have given me the thumbs up on this new venture and shared what you’d like to see in the days ahead. Those encouraging words kept me calm and focused on the task of re-locating. Thank you.

ON MOVING . . .

Some of you are asking why. A good question.

I liked what I was hearing about Substack. I did a bunch of research and considered the pluses:

+ resolve the long-time frustration we had with my clunky and unreliable comment section

+ eliminate my monthly email fee

+ access to up-to-date technology without having to know hardly anything

The word streamlined comes to mind ... more efficient, effective, and trouble-free.

I’ll be the first to admit that I dragged my feet with FOMU (fear of messing up) but kept up a steady dialogue with God in the process. I believe He gave me a green light to ‘enlarge my borders’ (really … that’s the phrase that kept coming to me.) Texted back and forth with my friend Michele ‘Living Our Days’ Morin who kept cheering me on. Crossed my fingers and took one step after another.

And here we are today.

In keeping with the whole Grace & Space theme, I’m not rushing to do all the possible things. There’s so . much . to . learn around here but I’m in no hurry. We’ll figure out the questions and opportunities (an audio version?!) as they come.

ON BLOGGING . . .

I do believe that 'old-school blogging' is not only here to stay but is beginning to re-emerge as a force to be reckoned with.  I'm hearing of people disillusioned with FB and Insta and whatever Twitter is calling itself these days.  There's a yearning for good solid writing and old-fashioned dialogue.  Less competition and comparison, more collaboration and community building.

So to all my blogging friends out there, whatever’s your platform, venue, theme, or calling, let’s keep moving forward as we create, connect, and champion each other’s unique work.

ON TRANSITIONS . . .

Change happens in the blink of an eye.

That split second stroke of a pen.  A clock's steady tick-tock.  The shrill, heart-stopping sound of our phone in the middle of the night.  A calendar page flipped.  That long-dreaded farewell. 

But transitions? 

These steady visitors to our lives, so deeply yearned for or completely unbidden, can linger on.  And on.

We've all experienced those seasons that range from mildly discombobulating all the way up to the numbing, excruciating grief of a severed relationship, a death, an abandoning.  A financial upheaval, a health crisis.  A betrayal, a relocation, a denial. 

And the endless waiting spaces in the midst of it all that can leave us a little worse for wear.

And then there are the transitions that breathe fresh life, that kick off brand-new routines, that open doors to long dreamed of opportunities that wait around the next corner.  These are the graces that let you know that the earth keeps spinning, that life goes on, that all will be well. 

I don't know what you're transitioning from.  Or into.  

Many of us tend to be harsh taskmasters ... not necessarily with others, but with ourselves.  We too easily race forward without considering where we've come from or what we've been through.  

Unfinished business lies in our wake.  We don't take a breath to reflect on the ramifications of what has happened to us or in us.  We haven't taken the opportunity to glean truth from our experiences or seek the counsel of those a few steps ahead on the journey.  

Or sit quietly to discern what our precious Savior is whispering to us in our frantic hearts. 

Fear of missing the boat causes our minds to become unfocused.  We tend to react hastily to all that's coming at us, instead of choosing to prayerfully respond.  Fear is a lousy foundation for decision making, leaving us stressed, confused, disappointed, and frustrated.

Half the time we don't even know where we're going or why we've chosen to head there.  And we wonder why we start to get crispy as we begin to burn out along the way.

When someone gives us a gift, it usually brings us a gratitude-laced joy.  Grace and space are gracious gifts that Christ offers us.  In showing ourselves that merciful lovingkindness needed to transition well, we begin to breathe easier.  We honor Christ as we pray and search the Scriptures.  We allow the Spirit to lead the way at His pace, not ours.  

And in the process, our faith expands, our emotional health grows, our decision making process becomes more purposeful.  That 'peace that passes understanding' begins to reign.  We don't burn bridges, miss quiet opportunities, or lose out on unexpected invitations.

Move forward?  Yes.

Follow the Leader.  He'll take you where He wants you to be, one step at a time.

Be prepared to be amazed. 

ON COMMUNITY . . .

What arrives in your inbox is not the be all and end all. It’s simply the foundation for the conversation that follows.

In other words, I bake you a cake. And then you add the icing, the follow-up dialogue. And that, my friend, is the best part of all.

Steady, faithful interaction builds communities that are welcoming, safe, and supportive - in person or online.  I would love for you to join me in the comment section following each post. No, you don't have to be a blogger to participate.  No, you don't need to arrive with anything profound or witty to share.  Just bring your unique, authentic self. Even a few words is a lovely gift to share with other kindred spirits.

Substack makes it super easy to join the party. After years of dancing an endless, frustrating hokey-pokey with an online comment section, all I can say is, Thank You, Lord!

I leave you with Will Reagan’s Marked by Joy. It made my day bright before the sun even started to glow early this morning. Worship and praise does that, doesn’t it. Enjoy.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - Ephesians 1:2.

Linda