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

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Broken People, God's Restoration

 
 
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Living life as a young girl in a broken home and now being around the homeless, I have witnessed a lot of broken people.  Pieces of them go flying off into different directions; addictions, depression, grief, anxiety disorders, extreme selfishness, deceptions, etc.

This can happen not only to the unbeliever but to the believer also.  That was me six years ago when my precious first born left too early and became the prodigal.  I did not see that coming.  I was dumbfounded, shocked, confused, angry, and horribly saddened.  I began to sink into depression.

For a brief time, all I could see was darkness and despair but I quickly realized what was happening and called out to my Savior.  Jesus is compassionate and he hurts when we hurt.  He doesn’t want us to stay in the broken state we entered into and offers us His hand.  He offers us the puzzle pieces to make us whole again; we just have to accept them.

When I called out to Him, He bent down and listened.  He then began to restore me piece by piece.  My pieces of this puzzle was a blonde headed angel with skin on, my mentor, my husband, my small groups prayers, my extended family’s love, support, encouragement and prayers, prayers from prayer warriors, my special time with my Savior out at the pond, serving opportunities, and then the gift of writing. The pieces all came together and my heart healed.  Only with Christ, can a heart feel healed, when a situation is not.

Are you feeling broken?  Are you missing pieces?  If you do not have Jesus as Savior in your heart, that is the biggest missing piece.  I invite you to start your new picture by inviting the first and most important piece, Jesus, into your heart.  It’s such a simple piece of the puzzle.  Just bow your head and ask Jesus to forgive you of all your sins, and then invite Him into your heart to be your Lord and Savior.  If you have already done this, but still needing pieces put back together, then I invite you both to reach up and grab His righteous right hand and hear His words, “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.”  Then start looking for your pieces, accept them, and watch your picture become whole again.

I reached out and grabbed His hand and never let go.

Me whole again.

Click to Mix and Solve
For fun, hit the arrow and see what I was like before. . .then you can put me back together again.

I'd like to hear if you did it  :)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOVE it!!! I'm grateful to have walked some of this journey with you and to watch the way God has grown and matured you into the beautiful, godly woman you are. And I know the work He is doing through you is just beginning! I'm enjoying praying with you, watching His answers, and being abundantly blessed throughout the process!!

Love you,
Jennie

Judith C Evans said...

Amen! Just this morning I was picturing myself in scattered pieces...thanks for this reminder of the Lord's promise to be with me to put the pieces back together.

Anonymous said...

My prodical also left home and I know the darkness and despair. It was only through faith (without which I become hopeless) and the love and prayers of my Christian friends that I kept going. And even though my puzzle is whole, pieces come loose at times and have to be pushed back in. I don't know what I would do without Jesus.
Shanda @ http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com

lynnmosher said...

Oh, too much fun! I loved it! Took me a while. Wouldn't it be nice if it worked that quickly for real? So glad the Lord put you back together. You are a blessing to everyone! Blessings to you!

Unknown said...

I played with your puzzle. :) I love what you said - Jesus hurts when we hurts. He is full of compassion and He loves us so much. I love that He takes what is broken and makes something beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristin - Lovely post. Its the brokenness in us that Jesus uses. We just have to give it to Him and He gives it back to us whole.
God bless
Tracy

Denise said...

Hi Kristin, :)
What a lovely and inspiring post (fun puzzle, too!) It's kind of like Humpty Dumpty; when we fall, God will pick us up and put us back together again and even stronger then before. I am so thankful for His amazing love and grace! :)
Denise

Cora said...

Kristin, I'm one of those broken people who knows what it is to be put back together again. I loved your list of those who helped you find the pieces. I just wanted to hug you and hold you close as I read this today. I'm just so amazed at how God loves us and carries us through these times --- just so we can minister to others and help them find THEIR puzzle pieces! Thank you for this!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Jennie~thank you for being one of my puzzle pieces! I love you:)

Judith~You're so welcome, I'm so glad we have the master puzzle builder in our lives!

Shanda~I'm so sorry you had to experience this kind of pain, it's no fun is it. But so thankful with you that we have the Lord to walk us through it and heal our broken hearts!

Lynn~ I'm so glad you enjoyed the puzzle:) And you my dear, are a blessing!!

Lisa~I'm with you, I'm so glad he can take the messes and build something good from them!

Tracy~May I always remember to hand them over to Him from the very beginning. Thank you for always coming by! :)

Denise~I'm so glad when He puts us back together, we are stronger. Isn't that just like Him:)

Cora~I would love to have one of your hugs!!! Maybe some day :)

Jen said...

I needed this today! I'm working on being restored. It's a process. It's nice to be reminded that I'm not alone =) Thank you!

Joy Junktion said...

I put you back together in 4:44 :) Thank you for sharing this today. Sometimes even when we are Christians, do have a clear understanding of the Lord and have fellowship with Him, we need reminders in the midst of trials that we need to go to Him and not seek our Peace from every other source known to mankind. I have found myself, many times, in these months since my husbands passing, looking for love and comfort from many things and people around me only to be disappointed and still lonely! Somehow I need to remember that my true peace will only come from the Lord! Thank you again and again!!! Love ya, Cindy

Lisa Maria said...

What a creative and inspiring post Kristin.. you have the heart of a poet.. for sure! Very timely for me too..I find myself feeling quite in pieces lately! I have actually started writing something similar, though not this good. Its more about how trials can break us if we don't hold on to God. Hopefully, it will be finished soon. Writing is sporadic these days, between sickness and busyness.. but He is in charge of it all!

God bless you!

Love & Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the encouragement, as we are walking through the same...He hasn't left home, and I'm not sure that this is a blessing because of how he is affecting our delicate balance and the other children in the house. All is well with my soul. I am believing that the eternal seed of God's Word will not return void.

Anonymous said...

I put the puzzle together in an average amount of time. I've been reading your posts since we bumped into each other at the store. It's a wonderful way to visit with you.

Deborah

Shellye said...

Great post, Kris! I would just say that all three of my kids had to leave the nest, so to speak, because of my failures, not theirs. They had no choice in the matter. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has guided and protected them in ways I never could and I give Him all the glory. The path He has led them down has taught them more than I ever could on my own. Like Journey said above, God says His word will not return void, and I'm forever grateful for that promise.

You're a gifted writer and you inspire me! Loved the puzzle idea - I'm going to see how fast I can solve it right now. Hugs to you today!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Jenn~We need never be alone, With Him in our hearts and we fellow bloggers at each others sides, there is always someone:) I'm praying for you!

Cindy~I'm so sorry for what you have gone through recently but I can tell that you are one strong lady and leaning on those wonderful everlasting, loving arms. Praying you will be filled to the brim with that true peace!

Lisa Maria~Praying all your pieces come together soon. Looking forward to your post, they are always SO inspiring! I'm so thankful He is in charge too, if not, my pieces would be scattered to the winds!

journey~I'm so sorry you're experiencing this, but "all is well with my soul" Praise God! I'm praying for your family. And we will stand together believing, knowing God's Word does not return void!

Deborah~so glad we had that bump in:) So glad you are coming to my 'place". I hope we can visit in person again someday. Chaney's? :)

Shellye~I'm thinking your my long lost friend? So thankful with you for His infinite widsdom, guidance and protection. And restoration! I miss you. Hugs right back at ya! :)