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, March 4, 2013

Roller Coaster Ride


 

I have never been one to have "thick skin".  But being in a ministry, even as small as our Homeless Outreach is, I have found you develop it real fast!  Not just because of who we work with, but others who would just as soon not see you out there.

Then there are the phone calls and texts, one right after the other, over and over and over again from ones who are depressed, mentally ill, those who don't understand and those who want you to do all the work that they themselves should be doing. Sometimes you want to throw the phone away but you don't.

Then there is the despair, the tears, the arrests and convictions after you were seeing good and it's starting all over again.

The addictions are out of this world to someone who lived in her Christian bubble most all her life. The claws of these demons are strong and do not let loose without a terrible fight. And sometimes the fight does not turn out well.

You give your heart and soul to ones in the name of Christ and some will step all over you and break that heart.  The next day they will love you and next week, they've let you down again. 

All right now. . .who would like to step up and volunteer?  ;)

Let me tell you about the other side. . .where the heart shows tender. . .

The flicker of light in the eyes and a turned up smile after you showed you cared.

The genuine hug given back from one who had not been touched in a good way in a long time.

When their heads bow for prayer and they end the prayer themselves.

When you have the priveledge of praying someone into the Kingdom of God.

When you see someone who was hungry, now full from the food given.

When you see someone freezing, warmed up by the blankets and love of people around.

When you see one who has made that turn for the better and you hear them sharing the good news with another fellow traveler.

When you see someone make it from under the bridge into their very own place, paying for it with their very own paycheck.

When one has tears in their eyes and says, "Thank you for not treating me like trash."

When one looks at you with tired eyes and says,"You've all given me hope."

Seeing lessons being learned.

When you sit with one in church and you hear them praising the Lord sincerely.

When one you've been praying for comes up to you and says, "I'm an alcoholic and I need help."

When you see the ones who "make it". . .

Always knowing that once I was lost but now I'm found, once a long, long time ago I was blind, but now I see; there but by the grace of God goes me. Even now when I let Him down, His tender heart shows.

It can be an emotional rollercoaster ride being in this kind of ministry. But it is never boring! You never know what will be around the next whipped, neck breaking turn. Your heart can fall with the despair, beat furiously with the frustrations, and melt with sweet moments of grace and love. The heart can spin, beat, fall, scream, and rejoice. . .all in one day!  If this is giving my heart any kind of exercise, I should be in very good shape.

I used to have those moments of "Let me off this ride!"  But God says, "No, you are right where I told you to be. I'm getting used to this roller coaster ride now and not as queasy as I used to be.  So I strap on my seatbelt, grab my Father's Hand, and away we go!

What ride are you on?
Are you still waiting to get on?
What's stopping you?


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8 comments:

The Unique View said...

Thank you and God bless you.
Lyn

Alecia Simersky said...

Your doing life changing work! God bless you and the many people you come in contact with.

a joyful noise said...

Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of ministry at "Tell Me a Story." It is sad when you see those you have worked with slide back down in the pit, and then you rejoice when someone else has surrendered to Jesus and is learning to be strong and to stand against their addiction. Behind each person is a book of stories that could be told. I am happy that you are helping them to write a new story about themselves.

Lisa notes... said...

You are inspiring me, Kristen! I've been only dipping my toes into ministry with the homeless, but I can't begin to explain how the Lord is changing me through it. So, so thankful for women like you who are sticking with it in such awesome ways. May God continue to bless you with patience and endurance.

Anonymous said...

Love what you shared here! I actually Guest Posted at Start Marriage Right this week about how marriage is like your 1st roller coaster ride... Was excited to read your post when I realized you were writing along the same lines.... Blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

Love what you shared here! I actually Guest Posted at Start Marriage Right this week about how marriage is like your 1st roller coaster ride... Was excited to read your post when I realized you were writing along the same lines.... Blessings to you!

Lisa Maria said...

Sweet friend...praying for God to strengthen your heart for the upside down and free fall parts of your ride with Him. I could not have such courage as yours...someday with His help!

You are such a blessing and inspiration and I thank God for you.

Love & hugs!

Wise Hearted said...

Kristin, keep at it my sister. We have entered into the ministry Christ freely took upon Himself so we could come to know Him. All those miles He walked before the cross are the same as you walk today. Yes ministry is hard, it's walking in His shoes and they were worn and tattered by the time He hung on the cross. Encouraging read today for my heart. Thanks.