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

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Too Much!





Can there be too much of a good thing?  I found the answer to this question in the isles of Walmart. I was standing there in front of the Oreos amazed. It used to be so easy. . .just grab the bag and go. And then they came out with double stuffed and I was excited! But now they have triple stuffed (which is TOO much) and there are the Oreos with mint filling and strawberry filling and peanut butter filling. It's just too much.

And then I went over to the coffee isle to pick up coffee for small group. I am not a coffee drinker so coffee is not something I usually buy. But I was hosting this group and I knew everyone else were coffee drinkers. And so I found myself staring at coffee with my mouth hanging open in disbelief. . .I won't even mention all the flavors there are. I just wanted to get plain black coffee. But even that was not easy.  There was classic roast, dark roast, there were light, medium, and dark and on and on and on. I was almost in tears. I just grabbed one and prayed they would like it.

Then I went over to the toothpaste isle and guess what. There were a gazillion brands and each brand had the option of having a whitening system built in or not, did I want baking soda in my toothpaste, did I want mint and  did I want that in clear or paste or with sparkles.

I just have too many things on my mind and don't need to stand in front of every single item trying to make a decision on what cookies, coffee or toothpaste to buy.

What's the deal? Are the markets just trying to please everyone knowing everyone has different tastes? My grandmother never, ever used a tube of toothpaste. She always made a paste of baking soda and water in the palm of her hand and brushed with that for over 90 years. She never went to the dentist and had the straightest, whitest, strongest teeth ever. So simple! So easy! So cheap!

I ponder why so many choices have become available and why everything is so expensive. Back in my grandparents day, things seemed so much more relaxed and easier, even though they were hard workers, it was a good kind of work and they layed down at night and slumbered well.  I think it's because they didn't have all these choices to make. And they had more free time to do what was important. I lay down at night and think of things like Oreos, coffee and toothpastes and then wonder why we all have to go to the dentist every year.

I think things should go back to the way they were before. Just run in for a loaf of bread and go. My grandparents would be back home enjoying a beautiful evening out together in the back yard. I'm still in the store deciding which bread to pick up. . .white or wheat and if wheat should I get the 100% whole wheat, the golden wheat or the dark wheat with all the seeds on it, or do I get pumpernickel, or go for the Italian or the Rye or Potato or French. And do I want to get round bread or in a loaf. Do I want baguets? Do I want cinnamon, raisin bread and if so, do I want it with the icing on top or plain? Or would I rather go to the refrigerated section and select Ezekiel bread? By the time I get home from the store I am worn out and hubby wonders why I feel the need to go take a nap.

Yes the older I get, the simpler I like it. I'm all for going back to the mom and pop stores where they just had one kind of each item or maybe two but not a gazillion. I'm stocking up on baking soda. Yes, I want a simpler life. 

Is that too much to ask for?



 
 


 
 




9 comments:

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

We are spoiled, indeed.

Fondly,
Glenda

Quiltingranny said...

When I saw Vanilla flavored toothpaste I realized we are a generation that has to make to many choices!

Joy said...

Hi hi. You are not alone in thoughts like that:)
I am getting older too:)
But there are more for us to come:)

Susan said...

And, in grandma's day the wheat wasn't tainted with Monsanto spray and didn't tear your gut up when you ate either the white, wheat, or rye. And, the corn was real corn, not Frankencorn. And, milk was safe to drink. And..........
We stick to the "shop only the outer perimeter of the store - stay away from aisles where all the processed junk is!" I'm fairly OCD about pure food!

Denise said...

Amen my friend.

Amy said...

I am all for it! I want simpler, easier. I want to work hard, but I want to relax when I relax! I remember growing up on the mission field where there were not so many choices, you just got what you got. You went to the butcher for your meat, to the bakery for milk and bread daily (it was right down the road, and to the general store once in a while for the rest. There was only one or two of each thing to choose from. I do not enjoy shopping much now. Too stressful! I feel exhausted when I get home.

a joyful noise said...

Loved your post - Simple has it!

Kristin Bridgman said...

Well, I see I'm not the only one. Thanks ladies for your comments. I'll be praying for your shopping trips to not be so stressful and you can pray for me :)

Denise said...

Oh ha, ha...right? Love this Kristin! You most certainly spoke to me about too many choices, as I have been trying to simplify my life and all my "stuff" lately, and be more content with less. I am ready to keep things simple too! :)

Blessings sweet friend; have a joyfully simple week!
Denise