Ponderings: Blessings in my Friendships

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.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Blessings in my Friendships

This was a busy week for me and running in and out a lot. I didn't seem to get to my blessing list every day as usual. When I realized it was about time to post my Multitudes on Monday I didn't have anything new in my journal. I closed my eyes and went back over my week, and friends kept popping up in my mind. All through the week, I experienced blessings from my friends, my sisters in Christ. Some may not even realize how they blessed me, but it's often times the little things we don't even notice that is big to someone else. Some are old friends, some are new, some are blogging friends I have never met in person. Some of you have held my hand in prayer, some of you have held my heart in prayer, some live close, some far, some across the seas.

As I sat with my eyes closed, I began to think of all the qualities I experienced from some of these ladies and here is what I came up with ~

spirit lifting

joy giving

gift giving

love sending

heart mending

problem solving

laughter sharing

soul searching

story telling

fun seeking

I look at the above list and remember a quote I once saw. . .

"Friends are like the bacon bits in the salad bowel of life"

Life could be pretty bland without our friendships, so I salute all girlfriends out there who are making someone's life a little bit more zesty! And for my friends, I thank you for your warmth, compassion, love for the Lord, and just maybe a love for me :) You have strengthened me with your prayers, blessed me with your love and encouraged me with hope. I love you all!

So my blessing list today may not be too exciting for the readers, I'm sorry for that, but maybe it will make you smile as you think of the ones who have held your hand and heart. . .

717. Tami

718. Jennie

719. Ann

720. Leigha

721. Linda

722. Carolyn

723. Ronda

724. Maryellen

725. Shellye

726. Betty Ann

727. Lisa Maria

728. Chelle

729. Shannon

730. Karen

731. Ruth
732. Elizabeth

733. Cora

734. Kim

735. Mom

A beautiful list of blessings indeed! :)

linking with

11 comments:

Lisa Maria said...: I'm honoured to be on your list of blessings.. and may I say.. I LOVE YOU too! Thank your for being a big blessing to me too.. I treasure your friendship and appreciate your prayers. I wish a big ocean didn't separate us but.. who knows.. maybe one day it wont!

Love & Hugs; August 22, 2011 at 8:17 AM
Jenn said...: I love it... i love this thought of friendships.. I have been blessed with some of the most incredible friendships.. so i was thankful for the blessing to stop and think of that. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! Blessings
Jenn hand; August 22, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Melanie Eccles said...: what a beautiful list of thanks. I'm sure those friends are a deep part of your life. So glad I stopped by!; August 22, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Deborah said...: Thanks for stopping by. I am very fortunate to have so many things to be thankful in my life for. Love your list of blessings (friends). Thanks for sharing and giving me a reminder that friends are among the truest blessings.; August 22, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Anonymous said...: God has also blessed me with a "garden" of friends! My friends are one of my greatest treasures! I thank God daily for them. And I am so grateful to be counted among your friends....you, my sweet friend, are a gift to me!!

Love and miss you!; August 22, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Nikki said...: This is a beautiful list indeed, and you have a beautiful blog. Thanks for stopping by my place. Based upon the comment you left, I'm thinking you must like Sonic too. :); August 22, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Cora said...: Kristin, I will also confess that my page for this week was blank. And it should not have been, because all these friends right here have been "gift givers" to me, also. You have been such an encourager, spirit-lifter, mentor, and thought provoker. How could I NOT be thankful????? So out comes the notebook once again!; August 22, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Reformed rebel said...: Kristin, thank you. Somehow through this blogging world I have become blessed to find a friend in you! My heart has been truly touched by your friendship!

Love you...Chelle; August 22, 2011 at 7:10 PM
Anonymous said...: I hope #731 is me...:) I am very thankful for Ann and her connecting so many wonderful followers of Christ! Much love, sister!; August 23, 2011 at 2:23 AM
Maryellen said...: 724. Love that I am included in your list of your friend blessing list...but I know that we are not only friends but sisters forever in Christ...now that's a BLESSING! Love you!; August 23, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Karen Pattison said...: You had me at "hello"...haha!
You have been a blessing to me since book club! The book title was perfect, "same kind of different as me..."
Hugs sister!; August 23, 2011 at 1:57 PM