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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

Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Man Who Cries and Grace

I ran up the sidewalk to our Bridge Homeless Outreach. It was raining this night so all the volunteers and our bridge guests huddled under the bathroom gazebo roofed breezeway. Men came out of their side of the bathroom and told me about a man huddled against the back wall crying. No one knew why. All anyone knew was that he lived under the bridge. About ten minutes later he came out, this middle-aged, scruffy, unshaven man with a hollow look in his red eyes.  Eyes without hope in them is a sad look indeed. He looked empty, dead. . .and yet was breathing.

I walked up to him ever so gently to introduce myself and put out my hand to shake his. He put both of his hands under his arms and shook his head from side to side saying, 'I don't like to talk to people." I backed off respecting his space but issued an invitation to help himself to a hot meal. He did but retracted back to the corner with his food, alone.

What was his story I wondered. I was told, but could have easily guessed he was a hard alcoholic. O, how I despise that demon! I suspected mental illness too.

He came back the next week but sat away from everyone. He still looked dead. . .still breathing. He would not talk to me. He would not talk to my husband. We backed away, again respecting his space. O God, I whispered, let him feel love. And then the man walked right up to Frank, one of our volunteers and said, "Do you believe in God?"  I watched Frank and the man walk over to the side of the bridge, away from the crowd, and they talked. Frank was available. We were all available, but it was Frank's space the man was comfortable entering. And Frank's space was open for the man to enter. I don't know what was said but I know Frank, so I know the space was comfortable for this man. We all issue grace at the bridge, but sometimes one is drawn more to one than another and that's ok. . .it's great. . .bonding at the bridge. . .I was thankful for Frank this night, to be available, to stand in the center, to take one to the side, to share with the man who cries. He entered into grace when he entered Frank's space. You cannot be untouched in the presence of grace. It could have been the beginning of a healing, maybe the beginning of tears drying up. We may never know. But I once again witnessed grace at the bridge. It's a beautiful thing.

Thank you Frank!


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8 comments:

Denise said...

Amazing grace.

Reformed rebel said...

Great story of how the Lord draws people in. Can't wait to hear more about this man.

Lori said...

I love how God prompts the heart and makes one feel safe enough to step out. His timing is impeccable and the tenderness of His heart toward us is so sweet!

a joyful noise said...

We are all drawn to certain people, and for this man, Frank was one he could speak freely with. May the Lord also speak to the man and reveal himself in Love to him.

Stacie said...

W O W!!!!

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

Praise the Lord!!!

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

There is a special grace needed to offer space, and a special discernment to know when to give it and how. Kristin, you are so aware and attuned to these things --- you are definitely in the place God meant for you. My book comes tomorrow ---- I'm just so excited to get it!!!!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Amazing grace, how sweet it is!

Cora, I'm so glad to see you here, it's been so long! Hope you enjoy the book!