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

Monday, July 30, 2012

Why I Want To Go To Bed at 7pm!

I am more a night owl than an early morning person.  I can get up early if I have to, and I can go to bed early, 9-10 if I need to, but I have never wanted to go to bed at 7pm. . .until now.  Why, you may ask, do I want to go to bed at 7 pm?  I'll show you why. . .






Yep, I started riding my bike again.  When I was in my 30's, my husband got this big idea that we would ride across the state of Oklahoma, where we lived at the time.  But that takes training, and training I did.  He and would ride every day after he got of off work, and I worked my way up to 20-25 miles at a time.  Then he entered us into a race at Oklahoma University to see how I could handle a 30 mile ride.  I handled it.  I finished it!  I was next to last across the line, but I finished it.  I was in bed the next day sick.  Oklahoma ride would have to wait.  That ride is around 50 miles every day for a week.  There was no way I could get back on the bike the second day. 

Then life happened, we moved to Kentucky, I got older.  I got softer.  I got lazier.  I didn't like it.  So I got my bike out of retirement, blew the dust off and hopped on and took off.  The bike just isn't the same at 50 as it is at 38.  I went 3 miles and had to take a break.  Then I went another 3 miles, 6 in all.  Ok, that's not good, but not bad for someone who hasn't ridden in years.  The second day, I got on again and rode 6 miles.  Now I'm walking like a cowboy, if you know what I mean, Yippie Yi Ay!  Third day I got on, and raising off the seat every chance I got.  I only went 3 miles this day.
This is how a soft 50 year old looks after day 3 on her bike. . .








not very pretty. 
I WAAAANNNAAA QUIT!!!
But my one word for this year is discipline.  Oh why didn't I pick a word like. . .oh, I don't know. . .
maybe sleeper, lounger,
eater of more chocolate. Oh wait, that's not one word. AND, those words would not be very God honoring. It's ok to sleep, lounge and eat chocolate, but not to excess. But I think discipline would be fine in excess. Sleeping, lounging and eating chocolate is what can make a person lazy, soft and undisciplined. Oh, that may be why the word discipline came to my mind when I was trying to pick one out.  It was what I needed.
This is harder than I thought!
But I'm not a giver upper.
I will straddle the seat, put my shoes to the pedal, and go. I just hope I can make it past my street one day!

Thoughts on discipline:

Master your mood; live by your committment, not your emotions
(I will not cry, I will not cry)

Put your mind in gear before your mouth.
(I will be positive and put mind and bike in gear before whining!)

Stick to a schedule.
(make the best use of time God gives)

"Everyone one of you should learn to control his/her body, keeping it pure and treating it with respect"
First Thessalonians 4:4

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and self-control."
Second Timothy 1:7

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me."
Phillipians 4:13

I'm off to find those padded bike shorts I used to have.
Please pray for me!  ;)

Is God calling you to be disciplined in an area?
Tell me about it and I will pray for you.
Blessings~


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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

ouch
Ouch
OUCH~~~!
You hit too close to home!
Discipline is a dirty word~ LOL

I got back on my bike this summer after at least 25 years of not riding! My husband has too, and even bought a new bike. It is TOUGH! We are both really out of shape and almost 60!

I'll pray for you to succeed~
God's blessings on your rides~ I'm impressed! ♥♥♥

Kristin Bridgman said...

Way to go Cathy!!! Keep it up! Get yourself some padded bike pants;)

a joyful noise said...

Thank you for sharing your story at Tell Me a Story. I haven't ridden a bike in years, but I applaud your zeal in beginning again. A night person is what I have always been and it is getting worse. I must heed your rules of discipline and at least try to get to bed before Midnight.. :-)

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Good onya mate, I used to walk and run every day. Now I am SOFT as you put it. Your encouragement might get me up and going again.

marlece said...

good for you, this is awesome. One thing about it, if you are feeling soft and old you sure don't look it!WOW! And very excited for you to get out on that bike again. Good for you! Yes, go get yourself some padded shorts (smile)

Wendy @ E-1-A said...

Wow! You certainly put me to shame. I find it hard to even want to go for a walk after work at night. Not far off 50 - I'm 47 in November but feel more like 67 at the mo! Please pray I can get my diet/exercise in order! I would truly appreciate this.

Hope you find some good padded shorts. It will certainly make cycling more pleasant.

Christina said...

Wow, good for you! It's hard to develop discipline, we so naturally prefer laziness I guess. Keep riding!

Denise said...

Woo Hoo, you go girl.

Thoughts for the day said...

Good job, last time I got on on a bike I fell off head first onto the pavement. Two black eyes almost a broken nose, bruised chin and pride too. (had to comb my hair and wash up before heading to the emergency room)
Haven't been on a bike since.
(and that was almost 10 years ago)

caryjo said...

I used to love to bike. Not a racy situation, but riding was a good thing.

Now, between so much on my plate and my energy reducing with my age increasing, biking doesn't happen any more. Have one on my porch and look at it every day thinking it would be fun. BUT in a city with cars constantly going and coming, people not paying the same attention as before, my ability to see quickly and clearly and respond/react having reduced... guess it has to be set aside.

But I enjoyed hearing/seeing your viewpoint and understanding of both the activity and the "following our Lord" aspect.

Thank you.