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, January 7, 2014

Things I Think About in the Frigid Cold


The temperatures have been colder this week than I have ever experienced. Highs of 5 with wind chills at night up to -40 degrees. Did you see that minus sign!? That baby, is cold!!!  My heater cannot keep up. The thermostat has been set on 68 but the inside temperature will not get above 55.  I paid $85 for a heat man to come to my house to tell me my heater and heat pump are all working fine. Nothing wrong with it. The unit is just too small to keep up with these frigid temperatures. He said when the temps start to rise again, the unit will work well again. Something about that just doesn't seem right. I started to ponder. . .

Why doesn't a builder install a heating unit to keep up with the cold weather?
 
Why would a heater not work well when it's really cold? Is that not what they're made for?
 
Why do they charge you to tell you nothing is wrong? I would pay for their gas, but that would not be $85!
 
and then I just kept on pondering. . .
 
If it's 0 degrees today and it's twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
 
If they can invent seat warmers for cars, why can't they invent a seat warmer for  the porcelain throne?
 
Do outside pets become inside pets? And if not, are they angry at their owners?
 
How do those little birds and creatures of the ground not freeze to death?
 
The birds have been in my yard for days, all day long during these frigid temps, eating something from the ground. What is it? Maybe frozen worms?
 
It fascinates me to see how boiling water thrown into the frigid air turns into steam with no water hitting the ground. It doesn't take much to humor me folks.
 
Why do we complain about the cold, we who have homes and comfy beds and plenty of covers and for some, even a fireplace.
 
Some of our homeless friends slept out all night in this weather. One man slept in a park bathroom. None of them ever complain. The bathroom resident said it was 32 degrees in there and he was quite comfortable.  They all smile, are mannerly, and again, never complain, at least to my ears.
 
How do they keep their attitudes up and keep their humor with no complaints and we can at times grumble about the weather from our 55 degree and up homes. My porcelain seat may be cold but not like the one in the park! I have a comfy bed with plenty of covers. They sleep under bridges, in the woods and in park bathrooms leaning against a wall.  We help our neighbors because that's what we do. But I think THEY have also helped ME. Over the 5 years I have been out in the homeless community, I have seen survivors who make the best of their days. And for most of them, they do it with a smile and a gracious spirit. 
 
It keeps me on my toes to think how often am I sporting a gracious spirit. Am I complaining about anything when I really have no need to? Am I smiling as I sit on that cold seat? Am I grateful for that cold seat?

 And that is what I have pondered about today. I also continue to pray for my friends and praise the One who watches over me and watches over my friends outdoors.
 
Baby it's cold outside! Let's rejoice!
 
 
~Just a quick note here~
 
I decided to google before I published this post and guess what I found?
There really are seat warmers for that porcelain throne! It even comes with a remote control! With multiple heat settings!
Who knew?
In case you're interested, it's called the Toastie Tush and it's yours for only
$46.62
 
~I do not get paid for this announcement~

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved your blog but laughed OUT LOUD and even hooted a little reading about the Toastie Tush and your disclaimer! I was pretty sure someone had that need covered already. For $46, maybe I'll buy you one for your next birthday!

Maryellen said...

Even my brand-new unit is running nonstop and one of my dogs refuses to come in/stay in the garage. That would be Myshka, the husky/collie mix. She is happy as can be. However, the black lab Bella is very happy to be inside. I wake up during the night praying for the homeless and those having to work/travel/serve in these frigid temps. And, even though these are not our normal winter temps, the mid-west and north have it so much worse. Thankful for you, my friend. You warm my heart!

a joyful noise said...

Our heater quit and after four days the part we needed arrived. we turn our blanket on at night just to warm the bed and then let the covers keep us warm. We are so blessed and it is amazing that your homeless friends can smile and not complain. Oh yes, years ago, with a bath rug set, there was a cover for the seat that slipped on and was held by elastic. It was great in the cold winter. I doubt if they make them anymore. The one you mention sounds interesting.

Floyd said...

It's all about perspective and your friends that live outside help you with yours. We should all be so proper in our perspective.

Heat pumps are made for the desert. They don't make heat, they actually expel cold air from within via a reversing valve that makes it do the exact opposite from summer. They do make preheaters that can be placed in your ductwork, they're expense to run due to the fact that they're really not much more than a strip heater, but ask your AC guy about them... Crying shame you have gas and someone didn't use a furnace for heat, no additional cost for the unit just the cost to vent it and pipe gas to it...