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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

Monday, January 13, 2014

Grandma's Aprons. . .Honor #1


 

            All it takes for this 51 year old woman to be transported back in time is to feel a slight breeze across my face or smell the scent of hay and I’m right back on my grandparent’s farm.  I was only there in the summers until 1970, so my memories are from the ages of three to eight but they are strong. At this time, I was being raised in a big city, so the sites I experienced in the country were very different.

 I have wonderful pictures in my mind of the place, especially of my grandmother in her aprons.  I never knew of anyone else who wore aprons all the time like she did.  She wore the kind that slipped over the head with a bib and tied behind the waist.  She of course, sewed all hers with simple cotton material. They always had a pocket on the right with a Kleenex inside.

She wore an apron while she cooked her wonderful, country meals and baked delicious goodies for her family.  She wore the apron while we washed dishes, which she did like no one else I knew.  We would wash in a big, white pan with a red rim around the top, then rinse in another pan just like it.  When the dishes were done, the water would be thrown out in the garden for the flowers, because my grandma never wasted anything!  While in her apron with me beside her, we would go out to their separate garage and wash clothes like no other.  In a white, electric tub with wooden roller wringers that turned by you cranking the handle on the side.  I see her in my mind, in her apron killing the snakes that got too close to the house and to her grandchildren, with her garden hoe.  And in that apron, she would put me to bed, telling me stories about Henny Penny, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Peter Rabbit. She never read these stories to me from a book, she told them all from memory. 

I’m sure she took the apron off before she went to bed, but when I got up, there she would be in the kitchen, or outdoors donning another cheery one.  When she died, I took two of her aprons, now faded from time, and they’ve been in my own home ever since. 

 This city grown girl is now a woman finally living in the country herself and loving it.  I have grandma’s antique furniture in my own home now and strive to have gardens like she did.  I cannot kill snakes like she did though, I run from them.  She was much braver than me. My grandma was a hard worker and yet there was a simplicity in her day that I do not see much today.  I long to go back and am striving for that simplicity again.  I’ve started by putting on her apron…with a Kleenex in the pocket.

 

Our beloved grandmothers aren’t the only ones who wear an apron.  When I think about the different professions of apron wearers, I think of blacksmiths, doctors, waiters, and cooks.  A sign of an apron wearer is humility, the act of servant hood.  We believers are called to be humble and to be a servant to others.

Thinking of aprons I can’t help but think of that unflattering statement put on grown children who still live with their parents.  It is said of them that they are tied to their mother’s apron strings.  This started long ago when mothers would tie their small children to their apron strings to keep them safe while they played.  But this is a great picture for us believers as we should be tied to our Savior so we will not venture away from humility, servant hood and His love.

I sat in my grandmother’s lap as a little girl, smelling her scent on her apron, feeling comfortable and loved.  May we as believers, crawl up into our Heavenly Father’s lap, soaking up the comfort and love from Him as well as His scent, so we can share the love and comfort with others and emit that scent to others to draw them to the One who loves them most.
 
This is in honor of all Apron Wearers
 
 
 
 
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9 comments:

Reformed rebel said...

Such a beautiful picture you have painted of both our Heavenly Father and your Grandmother.
Thank you...Chelle

a joyful noise said...

Thank you for reminding us of aprons and all they mean. My mother wore an apron and sewed smaller versions for my sister and me to wear when we ate our meals. It saved many a dress from spots. Thank you for sharing this at "Tell Me a Story."

Stacie said...

I love your memories!
-Stacie

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Good memories of your grandmother. My grandma had a washer machine like that. She also had a wood stove that she cooked on. My mom used to wear aprons as well. I lost the one I had of hers, or it's still in a box of hers here somewhere. Yes, we need to be tied to our Saviour and good. Good thoughts, my friend!

jviola79 said...

What a beautiful picture you have given us of aprons. No better place to be than tied to Him! I visited this morning from Tell Me A Story & am glad that I did. What an encouraging post!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Thank you ladies! Ahh, memories, grandmothers, Jesus. . .Love! :)

bluecottonmemory said...

You honor your grandmother beautifully. I love apron's too - though they don't bring back family memories. I've caught myself wearing them to pick up the boys from school when I wasn't working! LOL Sweet Sweet memories Kristin!

Unknown said...

This post is so nostalgic, it got me teary-eyed. I can almost smell the wonderful smell of newly-baked chocolate chip cookies from reading your posts. Grandmothers always know how to make someone feel so at home. You have such fond memories of her. Good for you!


Carl Brighton

Unknown said...

Yes. Grandmas do really have that trademark aprons on, don’t they? Your fond memories of your grandmother is so nostalgic. I guess we all have that special place in our hearts for our grandparents. They’re so vital in our growing up because they give us this kind and safe environment in their arms.
Demetrius Flenaugh