Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Friday, May 20, 2011

Brothers

When our first born became a prodigal 5 years ago, not only did Keith and I lose a son for a time, but our younger one Chris, lost a brother as well.  We were all very close until Tim turned 18, changed, and left.  The three of us were left empty, numb, and at times angry.  Keith and I had each other and Christopher had us but it wasn’t the same.  He needed that camaraderie that he had been used to having, now from his peers.

Keith and I hit the ground on our knees asking God to bring a good friend into  Christopher’s life.  And just like God, He did one better.  Chris, from the time since losing his brother, had not 1, not 2, but 14 brothers!  Christopher was led to a small bible study group.  I told someone these were not normal teen boys.  Oh yes, they are teen-age boys who do boy things ~ work out, play hard, burp and other noisy activities, they act goofy when appropriate.  But they also have a maturity beyond most of their peers.  These are God-seeking, God-honoring teen boys who took our son in like a brother, and we watched him bloom into a more confident, happy kid once again.

They play together, study God’s Word together, worship and pray together.  They’ve camped together, built fires, shot guns, played with spears, gone to camps, on mission trips, watched movies, played games and probably other stuff a mom doesn’t need to know about.  But I know it's all good, clean fun…right boys?  Yes, because they all have that new heart we receive when we’ve invited Jesus in, and they take it seriously.  It’s not a game to them.

When one of the boys mother lay in the hospital dying, all the rest of them were up there with the son for hours each day. . .commitment and brotherly love

Christopher gave his testimony at summer camp and in Scotland. . .boldness from a quiet one

Christopher wrote and preached sermonettes for youth group. . .bravery, confidence

These boys brought a sense of belonging. . .gave fun back into our son’s life.

Families are important and Satan knows that and will do whatever he can to tear them apart.  And it may seem like he’s accomplishing that for a time.  But God doesn’t leave us hanging.  “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41;10

Christopher cried out to Him one dark and lonely night and God bent down and heard.  He answered.  He brought him up out of a pit and gave him a gift. . .a band of brothers.

Keith and I will be forever grateful for this answered prayer, to each of these boys, and to the parents who raised them.  And this gives us hope that our other prayer will be answered one day for the blood brother to return all the way.

Hats off  to the  KWG!  May God bless each and every one of you as you go on your way to new paths and adventures.


(Christopher is on the bottom row, 2nd from left, darker blue t-shirt)

9 comments:

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Goose bumps here!!!! I love everyone of these faces, and their smiles are so real and genuine. It just never ceases to amaze me how God so creatively and lovingly supplies the needs we have. Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Anonymous said...

And isn't that JUST like our God....more than we can ask for or even IMAGINE!

Lisa Maria said...

Its always so uplifting and refreshing to see young people like this. There are so many who do otherwise. I wish them all God's graces and blessings! How wonderful for your son to have such friends. I pray for my girls to have godly 'real' friends too. The awesome power of prayer!

Amanda said...

Love the blog Kristin! Blessings from Amanda at Ruby for Women (and ajwrites4him.blogspot.com)!

Traci Michele said...

So sweet! Thanks for following Ordinary Inspirations... I'm now following you back! Come back any time. On another note, will you vote for my blog? It only takes a second. Thanks, Traci

http://www.circleofmoms.com/blogger/ordinary-inspirations

Quiltingranny said...

Don't we all need family members like these? So many times it is these family members and not flesh and blood that lead us on!

Unknown said...

Tears as I read this! God is AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this!

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

What a blessing!!!! I'm so glad to read how God answered your son's prayers. He is so faithful and such a provider!!!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

A very uplifting and encouraging story! One I have lived myself. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of how graciously God answers our prayers. Not always in the way we think He will, but in the very best way possible. I will add your son, Tim, to my prayers. It took 10 years but, by prodigal son came back, safe.