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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

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Scars




I met a boy, rather a young man. . .he had just turned 19, several weeks ago.  He had been temporarily homeless and I met him through his case worker.  My family took him out to celebrate his birthday.  A precious lady, a stranger, gave him a bible with his name engraved on the front.  He smiled big when he saw his name, rubbing his hand over it taking it all in.   The next week, he allowed me to interview him for the book I'm working on.  But I didn't just want a story, I wanted to be his friend.  He has had a hard life, full of pain in one way and another and another.  He has scars. . .physical and emotional.  He knew God but did not know the Son. I had the priveledge of introducing him to another who bears scars, one I know understands this young man.  . . Jesus Christ, our great and awesome Savior and Healer.  By the end of our visit, this young man wanted Jesus in his broken, scarred heart. 

A heart that was full of the pain of memories that bring tears to the eyes, makes one hang their head in sorrow,  made me feel like I was going to hyperventilate just hearing the stories.  The feelings of anger and sorrow to the point of bringing sharpness to the skin, ripping it until the red runs down the body onto the floor was almost more than  I could take. 

But I prayed silently as I listened, for I wanted him to see I cared, cared enough to listen and take it all in for him.  So much had been taken from him, I wanted to give to him what so many need today. . .a listening ear, a listening spirit that will sit through the stories and pain so they can let it out.  It's so much better to let it out this way than to take the sharpness of one that rips the skin.

He has healed from the broken skin and blood and the desire to tear, but scars are there.  Our pastor said from the pulpit that scars are blessings when we give them to God.  Not curses but blessings. They can be reminders of God's mercifulness and faithfulness to bring one through a trying time. Oh, how hard this must be for the one who carries so many.  I pray now that this young man has the Healer in his heart, he will learn to see the scars as blessings and use them for God's purpose.  God did not bring about these scars but He can use them for good, for His glory. 

I asked him, who told me things he said he had not told anyone else, why me?  He said when he looked at me the first time, he saw genuiness, that I was real.  Oh, how I pray that I don't let him down.  For those who don't know him, don't understand him.  Sometimes it becomes necessary to tell, for healing, for understanding, for love to come where it needs to be.  This is why I write the stories of precious people that others do not understand.  I want there to be love where love is not felt. 

This young mans scars are now pink and healed over.  May his heart become healed now that the Savior is residing in this precious ones heart.  And may this young one begin to know that unconditional love that Jesus gave to us all. 

If you see the scars on one, do not pity.  Be encouraged, see the strength it took for one to come out on the other side of healed skin, and let this strength be what you fall on to bring you through whatever may be hurting you. 

Do you know this love? If not, receive from the One who bore scars for you out of love.  Do you know someone who needs it?  Go. . . give. . .love with the love of Jesus.  That kind of love can heal the most deepest of scars.  Does your skin bear the image of scars?  Wear them as a badge of courage.  It says you survived. It says you are strong. As a scar wearer, you are in the best of company.




Dear Readers,
I would like you to join me now in prayer for this young man. . .

Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray blessings to rain down on this young man and his future. First of all, we thank you for his new salvation.  Thank you for what you did for him and all of us on the cross and thank you for the open heart he had on this last Valentines Day and the privilege of being able to bring him to you.  We pray that he would grow in strength in every area of his life.  We pray that he would be healed of any emotional wounds that are still there and that he would learn to thank you for the scars and to use them to share a testimony that is his only and to give glory and honor to you Father for all of it.  May his future be strong and bright and we pray that he would always remember to look to you for that strength and guidance and for answers that he seeks. We pray that you would continue to bring strong Christian people into his life to befriend him and help to grow in his walk with you.  Thank you for being with him and bringing him this far.  We thank you for what you are going to do in this young man’s life and now give you all the glory and honor for all that you have done and will do in this precious young man.

We pray this in the name of Jesus,
Amen








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12 comments:

Reformed rebel said...

Kris...This is beautiful. This young man is blessed to have met you. GOD puts those like you, in the lives of those of us, that need someone that can be trusted. You are a blessing!

Chelle

Denise said...

God bless your efforts on this young man's behalf. Praying with you.

Lisa Maria said...

Oh Kris...you never fail to amaze me and inspire me! You have planted a beautiful seed and I'm sure its going to grow just like Greg's.

It's one thing to give food or clothing to the needy...you are giving your heart. God bless that precious heart of yours.

Sorry I've been missing in action, I've been ill and I'm trying to play catch up with my reading now. So wonderful as always to visit your place.

Love & Hugs!

Grace said...

I never viewed my scars as blessings. Although they are inward, I always viewed them as ugly reminders of the past. Blessings.....reminders of where He has brought me from. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

yes and amen...praying along with you...

Deidra said...

This is beautiful, and it's true, scars are blessings, and for me, they are great reminders of His grace - where I've been, how far I've come. Blessings to you!

Quiltingranny said...

I prayed and will continue to pray, such a blessing you are to these people who need someone to tell their story!

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

What a beautiful thing happened there, Kristin!!!! I have chills running through my spine, and tears of joy. Many years ago, this poem changed my view of my own scars. These scars have become tools of the Master.Written by Amy Carmichael:

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?

Leaving A Legacy said...

Wow! How amazing that God used you to minister to this young man. Once again thank you for sharing your stories. You have an amazing way of making your reader feel as if they were right there with you.
Many blessings to you!

Kandi said...

Kristin,

Praying for this young man and that God work in His life in a mighty way. Blessings to you for reaching out to him, this is a beautiful story.

Blessings to you Kristin.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Precious one.

Debra said...

Kristin, this young man found the Lord when he met you. You’ve heard it say many times that we are his hands extended. We are his feet that bring good news. We are his ears that hear stories of wounds. We are his conduits of healing. Bless you for being who you are, so filled with love and compassion. In agreement with every word of your prayer. ~ love and peace