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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

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Under His Wings


            “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.”  The biblical patriarch, Boaz, referred to Ruth as a woman who had come under the Lord’s wings for refuge. (Ruth 2:12)  Later, her great-grandson, King David asked the Lord in Psalm 17:8, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.”  In Psalm 57, he cried, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!  For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.”
            There is something so comforting about the picture of being sheltered by God’s wings.
            The footnote to Psalm 17:8 says, “God will protect us.  We must not conclude, however, that we have somehow misled God’s protection if we experience troubles.  God’s protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain, it is to make us better servants for Him.  God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them. ‘The Shadow of Your Wings’ is a figure of speech symbolizing God’s protection.  He guards us just as a mother bird protects her young by covering them with her wings.
As you’ll see in my story some day, I took comfort in the words of the old hymns after prodigalism hit our home.  One I came across and had never heard before was titled “Under His Wings” by William O. Cushing. Here are the words to this hymn written in the 1800’s.
Under His wings I am safely abiding, Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild;  Still I can trust Him I know He will keep me, He has redeemed me and I am His Child.  Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!  Often when earth has no balm for my healing, there I find comfort and there I am blest.  Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!  There will I hide ‘til life’s trials are o’er.  Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.  Under His wings, under his wings, who from His love can sever?  Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever.
I asked my younger son Christopher a couple of years after our older son left us, if he were asked how he got through the tough times, which they were so for him, a young boy just entering his teen years, entering a public school for the very first time, not understanding why his big brother was just gone and watching his parents feeling so sad, and he having to learn how to deal with anger and ugly thoughts, what would he say to those who asked. He simply said “Jesus”.  I believe if his soul could speak audibly, the words to this song is what you would hear.  And as the footnote above said, he became a better servant, gained more compassion, leading a friend to the Savior and showing that same kind of love towards others.
I'm so thankful for those wonderful, miraculous wings from above that shelters, gives the balm of healing, and provides comfort like no other and offers peace and rest that can be found in no other like Him.
May you who need comfort, shelter, to find refuge, find it beneath His wings.

13 comments:

Joy Junktion said...

I would say that I just 'happened' across your blog tonight but I believe I was 'sent'. I needed a fresh reminder of God's comfort and protection.
My husband passed away on Christmas Eve and though I am attempting to heal and move forward there are times in this journey that I feel so alone, unprotected and vulnerable.
Thank you for sharing your heart tonight!
Blessings from AZ, Cindy

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristin. I think your son hit the nail on the head. Jesus - when all is said and done, Jesus is my salvation, and when I'm hurting I don't even realize His protection, only when the hurt starts to go and then I realize He had been sheltering me.
Great post
God bless
Tracy

Lisa Maria said...

Oh Kristin, thank you for this precious reminder. I am indeed sheltering under His wings, almost all the time. Sometimes it really seems that He is not only sheltering me but taking me up on those wings so I can soar, climb above the things that weigh me down. Monday's post was on this actually. Bless you friend and thank you for the encouraging words.

Sending you a hug!

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

There is something about those times of being "sheltered under the shadow of his wings." You can't even really explain that feeling. You don't know what will happen in the future, but you know that it is all right now. You are alive, you are surviving and you just rest in that one minute at a time with Jesus thing.

Kristin Bridgman said...

Cindy~I came to your place and left a comment. I'm so glad you were "sent" here:)

Tracy~Yes, Jesus is all we need, plain and simple:)

Lisa Maria~I thank YOU for always being here for me with encouraging words and the love you always show me. Bless you my dear friend! :)

Stacie~I am alright now and I will be in the future because I know who holds the future! Thank you for your compassion:)

Joy Junktion said...

I hope your hubby catches a firefly and photo so you can post it - living in the west - I have never seen one - also, my sister just moved nearby last weekend:) I am SO happy, I really need her during this new 'season' of my life! I'm so thankful to God!

Denise said...

Hi Kristin,

I stopped by your blog today, and I am so glad I did! :) Your writing is lovely, and very refreshing. I love the poem below as it applies to your message:


RELY on God In the midst of the storm,
REST within His comforting arms.
KNOW tomorrow is safe in His hands,
TRUST even when you don't understand.

STAND fast in courage day by day,
WALK by faith when you don't know the way.
EMBRACE the Lord and abandon all fear,
BELIEVE with all your heart...
HE is near...(Rebecca Barlow Jordan)

God Bless! :)
Denise

Bristol said...

I loved these gentle thoughts of provision today... of leaning on God, of being sheltered by God, of clinging close to God in times of struggle. Thanks for sharing your heart and your story. I always love coming by your blog!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Cindy ~ I will try to post that picture, although fireflies are very hard to capture. I can't believe you've never seen one!

Denise ~ Thank you so much for the sweet words and the very lovely poem. I believe it states just what my husband, my younger son and I have learned to do during this last storm.

Bristol ~ I'm so glad you came by. Please continue to come back, I love having you as well as everyone else here. If sharing from my heart helps someone, then it is all worth it!

Reformed rebel said...

This was just what I needed tonight. It helps me to remember that God is always with us and He is our shelter. Thank you for sharing.

This is my first time to your blog and I'm so happy I found you. I will keep following. Can't wait to read more.

Blessings in Him,
Chelle

Jeannie Pallett said...

Beautiful web site. Looking forward to digging deeper. Such a blessing you have shared with us.

Val said...

Hi, I love the blogs, thank you so much. I would like to use Joy Magee's image of the swan and cygnet on a brochure that I am putting together for a ladies' weekend entitled 'Close Protection', looking at God's care for us. Could you tell me how I get permission to use the photo please?

Kristin Bridgman said...

Val, I pulled the image from google. I'm thinking you can do the same thing.