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

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Sanctuary

 I believe when most think of a sanctuary, they probably think of stained glass windows and pews to sit on.  For some it could be a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of a busy, loud day.  For me, that would be the pond or in my prayer closet.
 
But I have discovered another sanctuary over this past year. There are no stained glass windows or pews here. This one has a starry sky, round lights on poles and iron benches to rest on.
 


I'm talking about at the mouth of the walking bridge where the Homeless Outreach meets with their guests. Just before that first week of the Outreach taking place, I prayed, 'O Father, are we doing the right thing?" and I heard Him clearly, "Yes, and I will be right there." I have seen friendships forming, hands clasped and head bowed with prayers raising to the Father. I have seen smiles and tears, despair and scaredness and hope. I have seen the nourishment given of food, love, and grace.
 
God stories are pouring from this sanctuary, like these. . .
 
the couple living out their car moving into their own apartment
 
the giant receiving a gift from a munchkin
 
the homeless man who made it to the big church all on his own
 
the man under the bridge who after trying for over a year, finally getting a full -time job and realizing it was in God's timing, saying God had to bring him to the bridge for his eyes to open all the way to see that Jesus was right there by his side the whole time.
 
a life rededicated. . .
 
the other man under the bridge receiving day jobs left and right and feeling satisfaction from working with his hands and receiving kindness from a little lady with a great big heart and he taking his daily wages and giving half of it away to a couple who was needing help that week and then that couple turning around and offering the man a home and the veterans from the Veterans Association finding out about this same man and setting up an appointment to meet with him because they are excited about getting him a full time job.
 
like the alcoholic who became ready to enter a rehab and an opening became available and he is ready to move forward with his life.
 
like the veteran under the bridge for 15+ years finally ready and did move into his own apartment
 
like the alcoholic who prayed for the first time in front of a huge group
 
the atheist who always kindly thanks us for the generosity
 
for the husband who saw the brokenness and lost identities of our male guests and decided to do devotional times with them
 
the man who decided he needed to get his life right with God. . .and did
 
No, this is not a church sanctuary with mortar and bricks, this is God's sanctuary filled with his church, the broken and the healed coming together. There are no windows here, this one is open to crisp air along with the scent of love and grace being breathed in. God is at work here and I stand back and smile because you just can't help it when you see the Hand of God moving.
 
Yes, this past year I have stood in a sanctuary and I believe it is filled with one of the most beautiful sights. . .flawed, fragile, vulnerable human beings coming into contact with love, and I'm not just talking about the guests.
 
"The greatest gift we have to offer others is ourselves, because it's in our fragile and vulnerable humanness that people see the unconditional love and redeeming power of God most clearly."
Adam McHugh
Introverts in the Church
 
 
What sanctuaries have you found yourself in that you didn't expect?
Or did expect but just wasn't built with mortar and brick.
 
 

2 comments:

a joyful noise said...

Those who meet under the bridge are finding sanctuary as they make connections to change the direction of their lives. I find sanctuary in front of my computer at times, and then as I quietly slip into bed at night.

She Stands said...

Simply beautiful~
<3