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

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Tools of Love

A blanket, a pan of cookies. . .yes, there are still dear ones out there who say this will not fix homelessness. I have two things to say to this. . .

1)  I never, from day one, 5 years ago, thought a blanket would fix homelessness. I only wanted to show compassion and the love of Christ to people who I knew needed that touch. I wanted to hand over something that said, "I care, I'm here to be your friend if you want. And to share another friendship I have with them and leave that heavenly friendship with them if they so desire."

2) I've discovered that when God touches a blanket or that pan of cookies, these become tools to open the door to share that love, that friendship, to share of the one friendship that goes beyond this world.

Think of a time when someone handed you a gift with love. Did it perk you up? Did it make you smile? It's the same with all of us. I've seen people who thought they had nothing to smile about and when handed a gift in love, I've seen those stoic faces turn into huge smiles. I've seen people who were closed off, suddenly open up and begin to share. This can be the beginning of a healing process.

That is worth the gift of a blanket or a pan of cookies! 
 
One of our former homeless guests at the bridge went from living under the bridge as an alcoholic, to entering a rehab, became a recovered alcoholic, getting married, and they are now owning their own 16 acre farm with both having jobs and she re-enrolled at WKU. These are his words. . .
 
"I watched you all (volunteers at the Bridge Ministry), emulate the love of Christ. I decided when I was in rehab, I wanted to emulate His love also. When I did, my life started to turn around."
 
How was the love shown to him? Through a blanket, a big, green coat, accepting him as he was but letting him know he could be so much more. . .with Christ.
 
Christ touched him through the tools of a blanket, a green coat, hot food and drink out in the freezing weather, through hugs and unconditional love.
 
For those who are still critical. . .I invite you to come to the bridge and stand out in the cold weather with us, watch, and feel the love. . .look through the eyes of Jesus, remember that He was homeless himself. I ask you to imagine if one of your grown children were one of the bridge guests, would you not want them to be greeted with love, with a blanket, with a hot meal and guidance to lead them out of a dire situation? I would want that for my child.  And as we are all God's children, I believe He wants that for his child too who is lost out there in the cold world.
 
My goodness, if handing a blanket over, or a pan of cookies, or whatever else the Lord leads to give, is used to bring a cold one back into the warmth, the warmth of many things. . .is that not worth it?
 
I say "Yes!" And those tools will continue to be given as long as there are cold people in this world.
 
 
God bless everyone who donates the blankets, the pan of cookies, and ALL that is given in love, including your prayers, in the name of Christ.
 
I believe you will see many in our eternal home one day who will come up to you and say
"Thank you!"
And if we have crumbs on our face. . .you'll know exactly who we are ;)
 
 

4 comments:

Reformed rebel said...

Yes. It is more then worth it!! What you, and all the others, do at the bridge is a great thing. I so wish I could come and go with you to the bridge. Still hoping to someday.
God bless you Kris.
Chelle

Anonymous said...

Amen Sister! Said very well!! Those blankets, coats, food, and hugs represent Christ HImself! Keep up the GREAT work for God!

Shakin' the Foundation said...

Matthew 25:35
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Great post!!!
xoxox
Stacey

a joyful noise said...

God Bless you and your blankets and cookies because they are love in action