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, August 26, 2011

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

. . .especially through the eye of a photographer.  My husband and I can be driving down the road and I’ll see nothing but a plain field out the window, but he will spot the light hitting a weed just so and want to stop and take a picture of it.  He zooms in on the detail and voila. . . suddenly the weed becomes beauty appearing to my oblivious eyes. 



My husband has had a project over the last several years of photographing The Tall Grass Prairie in Oklahoma.  Most people, when they learn of this, say, “What is there to take pictures of, it’s just a huge, flat piece of land with nothing but grass?”  Ahh, I say, look through Keith’s lens. . .









When I started the blanket ministry for the homeless two winters ago, people have asked, “Why do you do this, they are there by their own choices, they will just take advantage of you.”  Ahh, I would say, look at them through the lens of Jesus’ eyes. . .




Psalm 139:14 says that we are His masterpiece and He wants us to know that full well.  Some people don’t know this yet, and if they can come to understand that they are loved and feel that love when a blanket is handed off to them, well. . .is that not worth it?  For them to feel the beauty of Christ’s love, to see them smile through their wrinkled faces and tired eyes. . .that is beauty I see through the lens of my eyes.


Through a horrendous act on a hill long, long ago, those who believe see the beauty of that day.  Through the Savior’s broken body, blood, pain, sweat and tears, was astounding love that still brings tears to my eyes when I close them and think about it.  Not sad tears but tears brought on by the overwhelming love He had for me, so undeserving was I, and he has this for all these people on the streets as well, some who say are undeserving.  We are ALL undeserving but we are all given a chance.  Some of us came to know of this love through a church home, loving parents who shared and taught, a friend who experienced this love and then shared with another.  Some may be on the street, waiting for that certain word, a touch, a hug, a blanket handed to them touched by the prayer and love of others.

How is beauty defined?  I don’t believe there is a canned answer.  We all have to open not only our eyes but our spirits and look beyond the windows, beyond the wrinkles, beyond the filth and odor, and see what Jesus sees…a masterpiece in the making.  May we let His love wash all over us so we can bathe others in it.

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us”

Psalm 90:17


God's masterpiece. . .a redeemed soul. . .true beauty!



13 comments:

Cora said...

I was just so moved by this, Kristin! The pictures are astounding in and of themselves. But your words. . .!!!! I had to learn Psalm 139 in its entirety as a teenager in order to go to camp. Since then, that Psalm has been there at every crossroad of my life like a beacon or an arrow.

You have taught me to really SEE as Jesus' sees, and I see so much love wrapped up in the blankets you give away. As I've gotten to know you better through these months, I do have to wonder who has been changed more ---- you, me, or the homeless ones you minister to????

Anonymous said...

I just love you guys so much. You both have God's eyes! Kris, see my post from last night about seeing... I have to laugh with a joyful heart how he speaks to us about the same things at the same time, yet in such personal ways. He truly is a God of mercy and grace.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post...the pictures... the words..."we are His masterpiece...some people don't know this yet...My cataract of my eyes are being laser by God's love...more and more beauty opening up all around me...
Thanks for this encouragement today...
Blessings~

Christina Klas said...

Hello! Over here from Amy's blog. You have a beautiful story to share indeed. The other day I was trying to make a big decision and was having a conversation with my dad "It's scary... I don't know the outcome." I said. He responded "When in life ISN'T it scary?"... I then said, "I guess if life is never scary than you're doing something wrong." God doesn't call you to comfort and safety.

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Loved reading your story over at Amy's today! I'm always encouraged when I stop by here. And the picture of that new believer - worth it all. :) Praying for your continued ministry ...

Unknown said...

Beautiful!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Cora, ME! Me and my husband. And isn't it just like God to take someone who steps out to share His love and it comes back ten fold!

Lori, I think you and I are two peas from the same pod. I love you too!

Ells, I love your line. . ."cataract of my eyes are being lasered by God's love". Wish I had thought of that :)

Christina, life can be scary, but when we keep stepping out with Him, it gets easier and easier. With each step, the faith becomes stronger.

Amanda, thank you for your prayers, they are so appreciated. And isn't the picture of the new believer beautiful? If you look closely, you can still see the tears in his eyes.

Jenn, thank you!
Bless you all!

Aritha V. said...

What a great blog again. Please thank your photographer for the beautiful pictures! And I want to say thank you, Kristin, for the wise words. Let we watch/look/see with the eyes of our God to every man we meet!

Unknown said...

The pictures are truly beautiful, especially the last one ;) The world looks very different when we view it through the lens of Jesus' eyes. As it is often said, we are all equal at the foot of the cross. Beautiful words, Kristin!

Susie - Walking Butterfly said...

You could never give a "canned answer" because your heart is so big and so open to others. This is a wonderful post, thanx for writing it!

pilgrim said...

Lovely post Kristin!In our family I am the one with the camera and I had to smile when I looked at your husband's wonderful photos - like him I always have to stop and capture! You've capture in a different way and together you so clearly GET the picture!

I popped over from Amy's blog, so glad I did! :)

Erin said...

Kristin, Kristin, Kristin! What a beautiful analogy...everyone must be seen through the lens of Christ eyes...yes! This post made me smile! I have taken 1,000s of pictures of the Tall Grass Prairie in OK over the years. To me, it's stunning!
Your words bless me!
~Erin
www.mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com

Reformed rebel said...

Kristin...I am so blessed every time I read you blog! The pictures are wonderful, the stories amazing, and it is so evident the love you feel for all of these souls. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings Chelle