"Whew What a Ride!" by Lorie Detter

“Whew! What a Ride!”

by Lorie Detter
I was a World War II baby. I grew up in a home with hard-working parents, but we lived at the poverty level. My church upbringing was very legalistic, and I worked hard to be “perfect.” I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. They impressed on me that getting saved was the goal, and I walked the aisle at age 8. The rules were many: no shorts, no makeup, no swimsuits, long dresses and long hair only. I equated following the rules with gaining approval and love.

When I completed elementary school, my dad told me if I wanted to go to high school I’d need to work, as he couldn’t afford clothes, books, etc. That wasn’t a problem as I had been working since age 10. In my early years I cleaned homes, mowed lawns, washed beer glasses in a local tavern, clerked in a drug store, waitressed and worked in an insurance office. I graduated “Most Likely to Succeed” in 1959.

Getting married and living “happily ever after” was a goal and dream. I did marry and had two baby girls – only to learn my husband was gay. I next jumped out of the fire and into the frying pan with a man who wanted me to give up my children so we could have a “life!” Turns out he liked other women as much as my first husband did men.

Thus, my need for Jesus!

I was invited by an old friend to a revival meeting 28 years after going forward in my grandparents’ church. I found the preaching of God’s Word so strong and inviting. When the invitation was given to be saved, I went forward. The counselor shared the Romans Road, and I accepted (or perhaps was assured) Jesus as my Savior. Both of my girls, 10 and 8 years old at the time, followed in my footsteps. Our little family became very involved in that church.

God later answered my prayer and brought a godly man into my life who loved me and my girls until his death in 1990. I was devastated as we had truly enjoyed life to the fullest in our time together. I was angry with God but continued putting one foot in front of the other.

I stayed involved in church and stayed in the Word, which has been my firm foundation. Our family has grown over the years to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren –and I have been privileged to share the Lord with each of them. All praise and glory to God!

My life has not been easy, but this I know for sure: God loves me and He wants my best. With Him, nothing is impossible. I have learned to place my trust in Jesus alone, and I’m eternally thankful for His forgiveness in my life. I’ll be sliding Home before long exclaiming, “Whew! What a ride!”

Ps. 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.