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, May 9, 2015

Trading Ashes for Beauty



Living in this great big, beautiful, wonderful world, sometimes storms blow in. Really big storms that bring fires that burn. . .burn bad. And what comes after the fires?  Ashes. And we have a choice to make. . .sit in the ashes or trade them in. Sometimes we need to sit in those ashes for awhile, because we can learn lessons there but there is Someone who doesn’t want us to stay in those ashes forever. He has something SO much better for us. . .

Isaiah 61:1-3

“…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Let me introduce you to four women who have sat in the ashes and learned to trade them in for some doozy kind of beauty. . . (please don’t miss the important story and message at the end)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Trading those ashes out for
 
beauty
 and joy and fun, something we had all lost at one time. . .read the rest at the end of pics. . .
 

 

 



 
 

 
 
 


 





 

 
PRAISING JESUS!
~TO GOD BE THE GLORY~
 
So there ya have it…four southern women…all who have gone through difficulties and heart breaks in their lives, but made it through with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“He reached down from on high and took hold of (us); he drew (us) out of deep waters. He rescued (us) from (our) powerful enemy, from (our) foes, who were too strong for (us).” Psalm 18:16-17
He was there to comfort, give rest, guide and lead, gave discernment, and brought us out of the pit. It took time, but. . .we found our way back to joy and fun and we praise Him, our Heavenly Father.
You say, “You all don’t know what heart break is!”  It’s different for all of us and no matter what each one is, when it’s our hurt, it hurts!  One of us tried and almost succeeded in suicide. Because of doctors who did not give up the first time, the second time or the third time, she is with us today radiating with joy. One of us became the mother of a prodigal, a story that put her on the couch and lost 30 lbs. over a two week period. It took her 5 years to put it all back on. Two of us have had dear ones in prison. One ended up on a psyche ward for depression. We’ve all had broken relationships. And we’ve all survived. We traded in our ashes for beauty.
Some of these hurts didn’t go away. Some were mended, some restored, and some are still there being raised in prayer. But praise Jesus! We don’t have to sit in the pit of despair. No matter the circumstance, we are here to tell ya, when you follow Jesus, keep your eyes on Him. . .Joy comes! Joy comes! Joy comes in the morning!
Are you going through discouragement, pain, depression, some kind of hurt of your own?  Praise Jesus! Jesus is there with you. Ask Him what it is He wants you to learn while you’re waiting for delivery. PLEASE!  Don’t waste the pain.  That is what the devil himself would want you to do. Don’t give him that. Lean on the strength of the Lord, learn, give Him the glory and be ready to rise, cause it’s comin’ girl, it’s comin’!
“…weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
 
"You have turned for (us our) mourning into dancing; you have loosed (our) sackcloth and clothed (us) with gladness, that (our) glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, (we) will give thanks to you forever!"  Psalm 30:11-12
 
From your sisters in Christ, daughters of the King,
Elaine, Kris, Tamra and Peggy  
 
DEAR READER. . .Do you feel alone?  You are not precious one. God is with you.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior."  Isaiah 43:2-3 
BUT. . .sometimes we need someone with skin on. If you would like to talk or want prayer, please feel free to e-mail any or all of us at the following. . .we'll be here for you!
You are loved with an everlasting love. And underneath are the everlasting arms.
 
Kris   ~ Krbrid@aol.com
Tamra   ~  Tlew1207@yahoo.com
Peggy   ~ Pgrannybird@aol.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9 comments:

Joy Junktion said...

Love!! 💗💗

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Beautifully done, Kristin. I love the combination of the photos and the story. I believe every life has its share of heartbreak and joy. It is the joy, as you so beautifully expressed, that makes our lives more than mere existence. And for Christians, our joy comes from a loving and compassionate God who gives far more than he takes.

Kristin Bridgman said...

Thank you girls! And AMEN Cecilia! Praise God for the joy. May your joy be full. . .no matter what.

Betty Mercier said...

Thank you, my dear, lifelong friend, Elaine, for recommending that I read this blog. It was a blessing. I am SO glad you have these sweet sisters to be your, "someone with skin," for encouragement and warmth. Love you, Betty Mercier P.S. Now explain the fun
Raggedy Ann pictures.

Anonymous said...

Betty you have known me from childhood and know my life's history. It's time to share that with ladies going through the same thing. The ladies in the pictures have shared in some really tough struggles but have overcome through the power of God alone. A fun way to let the world know no matter what you are going through the bottom line is Jesus it the answer. Just a fun way to express ourselves and let the reader see Joy does come!! Share with all your friends who struggle to see that beauty does come from ashes!!! Love to all and keep your EOJ eyes on Jesus

Anonymous said...

I am blessed to have one of these princesses in my life every day.. We solve problems, pray, take walks and eat chocolate!! But, mostly we listen to one another without judgement. Life is a struggle that's guaranteed who you surround yourself with will make all the differences in the world!!

Anonymous said...

I, too am very blessed to know one of these beauties, Elaine! She has been a true joy jewel in my life! She shines so radiantly through the joy of knowing Jesus- Thank you for sharing the wonderful story and beautiful photos! What a blessing to see you all sharing and spreading the love and joy that comes in knowing Jesus!

Quiltingranny said...

Amazing how you write and it blends into my soul! I know I haven't been around for awhile, but I do love your writings!

http://www.uk-writing-reviews.com/ said...

Girls, you look charming and inestimable!!! You do have fun together. And your love is sparkling and coming into my heart. You're the best!
Hugs and kisses,
Nora