Hello! Welcome to Pretty Good Report, a recent addition to the Patheos sphere. I’m your lowly columnist, KB.
If the world is a shadowy, cobwebbed corner, I am the little girl in time-out, befriending a talking spider.
And if Patheos is the Neighborhood of Make-Me-Believe, then I am the new kid on the blogs, donning a zippy red sweater.
When offered the opportunity to share from this platform, I considered whether the things I say on loop in my intimate circles are worth amplifying and repeating to virtual strangers (hopefully, soon-to-be-friends). A few of my favorite “Soundtracks” came to mind:
Whatever is true.
Whatever is lovely.
Whatever is of good report.
These are definitely worth repeating to anyone with ears that actively hear.
So, welcome. I’m glad you’re here and I hope we’ll be friends. I don’t know any magic words to make life easier, but perhaps, from time to time, I’ll string a choice few together that brighten your day or widen your smile. Perhaps, you’ll find a few worth sharing with friends who need a little encouragement.
I’d love to be found resourceful that way.
I can’t promise any “mic drop” moments, though there’s bound to be plenty of fumbling, mumbling and misplaced lines. But, joy is a choice and happiness is light, well-scattered. I feel I am up to that, at least, I think I can manage a little every once in awhile.
And sometimes, a little is all it takes. Have you ever seen the stars? Or a drop of spectrum-y light through a crystal chandelier? A little can go an awful long way.
Who exactly am I?
It’s a great question; one I explore anew each day. While some of the answers I find are deeply rooted, others continually grow and change.
For example, at the time of this writing, I’m a 40s-something single mom. See there? Here’s just what I mean: my age will change, my marital status may or may not ever change and my role as mom both evolves and remains unchanged.
I’ve been a stepmom, a stay-at-home mom, a work-evening-shifts-to-make-ends-meet married mom, a homeschooling mom, and now a work-whatever-shifts-to-make-ends-meet single mom.
My five children range in age from 12 - 29. I love them all so much… in so many, different ways.
What exactly do I believe?
Jesus is a friend of mine. I try to be a follower of His.
I was raised in the home of a pastor who is human but not a hypocrite. He has been both bi-vocational and completely at the mercy of merciless members.
I’ve worn various denominational hats over the years, though I tend to eschew labels for most things, save freezer food and canned goods
There are stories to be told there, but mostly there has been Mercy and Grace.
I’ve been the foolish Prodigal, the self-righteous Sibling and the hopeful Parent. It is possible to be more than one of these at a time. In fact, you can be all three simultaneously. I’ll have to tell you about it sometime.
I have deconstructed, reconstructed and come to understand that we are the Church- both Body and Building, with hands and feet for service and songs of praise, lifted higher than a steeple.
My little brother is my pastor now, and every couple of weeks, I get to hang out in 4-year-old Sunday School with some of the top theologians in the Kingdom. I cannot wait to show you our felt board. There's so much to look forward to!
Meanwhile, let's make the most of this beautiful day - come on in and make yourself at home. I'll get the kettle going.
Adventure awaits and discoveries abound!
I'm looking forward to getting to know y'all.
