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

Sunday, May 6, 2012

A Very Special Lady

As I sat in my ABF class one Sunday morning listening to my teacher speak about David, emotions, doing the right thing, laying prostrate on the ground, I couldn’t help but think of a modern day story about a very special lady…one who, as a young lady, thought her life would live out as the fairy tale stories she watched on the big screen in her day.

Because of people in her life who made bad choices, took wrong turns, and some living in their own sin, one making a very right choice to go across the seas with a missionary group, another taken away because of circumstances, everyone in her family ended up gone for one reason or another. She spiraled downward into a deep well of depression that lasted for years. Doctors put her on anti-depressants which she remained on for years. Her loved ones were gone for years. This lady ended up in a mental institution several times with doctors never “curing” her. She always returned home bad off as ever before. Not quite the fairy tale she expected.

People perceived her as weak because she was down and couldn’t seem to get up. This lady had been a Christian for years, but she allowed her emotions to get the best of her. The devil thought he could get her to give up by falling completely into this well of emotions.

But one evening, as this lady realized everything was gone in her life, she fell prostrate to her bedroom floor where she surrendered; fully surrendered her whole entire being, her entire family, everything! She even surrendered her emotions to do only what the Lord would have her to do. There was no earthquake, no great lightning, no emotional response. She got up and lived obediently to her Heavenly Father and slowly but surely, she became healed of the emotional illness the enemy tried to drown her in. She became strong, she got off her anti-depressants she had been on for years, never to go back on them again. Slowly, her family came back, a son after 14 years, a daughter after 9 years.

This lady is not weak. It took a great strength for her to not give up. It took a great inner strength in the midst of her turmoil and pain and aloneness, to go prostrate on that floor and say, “Jesus, I’m 100% yours and everything I have I completely surrender. She didn’t know what God’s plans were for her. She didn’t know what answers would come if any. But she trusted her God with all of her being.

This lady has become a dearly loved woman over the last 30 some years to so many people, helping, giving, and loving them with a Christ-like love, many calling her mom.

As of today she still thinks she is weak, but she knows what strength is in her is from the Lord. She gives him all the glory. She IS strong. She has shown the strength of a warrior. The enemy, strong in his tactics could not defeat her. She fought, she fell prostrate, she arose with a strength from the Lord she didn’t even recognize herself and together they claimed victory over this life and her family.


To this day, this lady thinks she has no legacy to leave. Oh, but she is so wrong! She will leave a legacy of great strength, faith, and love that only comes from the Father.

Because of her faith decision that night on the bedroom floor, my children grew up with a healed, whole, loving, and fun grandmother. You see, this special lady is my mother.

As she would and always says, To God be the glory!
A happy ending after all!


Thank you Mom for the legacy of prostate praying, strength in the Lord, obedience, faith, and
your unconditional love.
I love you with all my heart!
Happy Mother's Day!




She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25


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14 comments:

Thoughts for the day said...

What a nice tribute to your mother, it is a very sweet thing, she looks like a very nice lady.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Just so beautiful! He does make all things beautiful in His time, doesn't He?! Thank you for this, Kristin!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristin - beautiful, just beautiful.
God bless
Tracy

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful redemptive story...Oh the transforming power of God’s Love...thanks for sharing this...blessings to you.

Denise said...

Beautiful post to your dear mom.

Thomas said...

Thanks for the post and the honesty ... what a story of God's grace and the healing only He can bring.

bluecottonmemory said...

What an inheritance she has given you and your children!!!!! How powerful, too, that by sharing her weakness and overcoming, she helps others, too! Just wow!

bluecottonmemory said...

What an inheritance she has given you and your children!!!!! How powerful, too, that by sharing her weakness and overcoming, she helps others, too! Just wow!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

This was a wonderful tribute. As I was reading, I thought to myself, "I hope she knows about the 1,000 Moms Project. This would be perfect!" And you DID know. Yay!

Michele-Lyn said...

Wow! What the enemy meant for harm, God turned for good! I praise Him with you. Love how your honor your mama, here.

Blessings...

Jerralea said...

Wonderful story! And yes, it takes amazing strength to not give up - your mom exhibited awesome strength!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

What a wonderful and encouraging post...and yes, true strength...laying before the Lord and giving Him it all...all of it!

This mother needs to go spend some on my face time before the Lord.

Thanks for sharing your mother's story.

Kristin Bridgman said...

Thank you everyone! Yes, she is strong, special, and a treasure to me. Happy Mothers Day to all of you ladies!!!

Amy Sullivan said...

Ahhh, motherhood tributes. They get me every time.