Ponderings: Simply Counting the Multitudes with Gratitude

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.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Simply Counting the Multitudes with Gratitude

Simply counting with a grateful heart. . .

632. opened doors of opportunities

633. boldness~to step through those doors

634. ten stories published

635. for God using one with no writing experience to reach out and touch with words

636. for those coming back to reach out and touch me

637. bondings ~ through cyberspace

638. blanket ministry starting in another state

639. new friendships

640. compassionate hearts

641. encouraging pats on the back

642. cat purrs

643. holding hands and praying in the swing

644. libraries

645. visits from neighbors

646. sharing lucious cheesecake with a friend

647. midnight hugs

648. scented pillows

649. eatings Japanese food with 2nd born

650. laughing in car with same kid

651. close parking spots

652. friendly cashiers who visit with you

653. shopping carts with working wheels

654. yoga stretches that ease pain

655. cool flip-flops on hot days

657. witnessing help coming for a friend

658. seeing hope in one's eyes

659. watching father and son working on son's car

660. grease stained hard working hands

661. the right tools to get the job done

662. perseverance ~ my guys worked on the car for 8 hours out in the heat!

663. hand degreasers

664. stain removers for clothing

degreaser for those greasy work clothes from above

665. comfort ~ husband putting arm around crying me after we realized the next day the car wasn't fixed

and he gently telling me it would be ok

666. prayers on knees with hubby

667. assurance ~ knowing God will take care of our needs

668. for a God who let me know it all wouldn't be easy, but He would be right there through it all

Through the simple every days, ordinary days, wild days, quiet days, happy days and hard days,

may you find those gifts He has planted in your path. You just never know

where they will pop up! :) May they lift you up, make you smile, bless you.

And as my momma always says. . .Don't forget to say thank you.

Thank You Jesus!

Linking with others over at

16 comments:

Jen said...: I LOVE reading what others are thankful for. It makes me realize that I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. Your posts always brighten my day...Thank you!!!; July 25, 2011 at 6:13 AM
Reformed rebel said...: Kristin
I like this post...it's real. Something else I get from this is, no matter how things turn out...we still have much to be thankful for!

Blessings in Him
Chelle; July 25, 2011 at 6:48 AM
Unknown said...: I love how you find the blessings in everything. God is there in every part of our lives. We just have to make the choice to see. Many blessings!; July 25, 2011 at 6:52 AM
Carrie said...: Congratulations on the stories being published! That must be exhilarating! Thank you for reminding me about cat purrs. I haven't had a pet cat for many years and I've forgotten how wonderful it is to have one lie beside you and purr. Beautiful list!; July 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...: As your list indicates, we sometimes forget to thank Him for the little things that make our busy days easier, such as grocery carts with wheels that work. I hate shopping anyway, and then to get a cranky cart - makes me cranky. Instead, I should be thankful I have the means to buy the groceries instead of complaining because I have to. Changes one perspective, doesn't it? As always, a post that makes me stop and think.; July 25, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Christina said...: I love open doors, new friendships and the things that help us clean. I loved all of your list, thanks so much for sharing!; July 25, 2011 at 8:25 AM
JoyFULL said...: LOVE THE PICTURES..my husbands hands look just like that!! lol Many blessings...and looking forward to the day my son(now 3) will work on a car with his father.
:0); July 25, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Stefanie Brown said...: Love #632 and #633! I can so relate. #664 is hitting close to home ~ doing laundry right now.
You've put forth an inspiring list! Thank you!
Blessings...; July 25, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Rachelle: Sojourner said...: Isn't God good! Love the list. Keep on counting.; July 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Cora said...: I just smiled so BIG, knowing you are writing and writing, and writing. . . .!!!!!! You go, girl!!!!! It was so great to read those hard thank you's about the car!!! For a woman, that is a HARD thing. And the grocery cart thing??? I've seen many a crabby woman pushing uncooperative carts and steered clear of them. Nothing can throw you over the edge like wheels that don't work. I once had a friend who carried WD40 with her.. . .
Yeah! We'd make good neighbors, wouldn't we?????; July 25, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Amanda MacB said...: Thanks for coming by my blog.
Open doors, boldness, cheesecake, husband who prays - what beautiful things.; July 25, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Erica Saint said...: Thank you for the kind comment and stopping by my blog! I love the pictures of your husband and son working side by side. What wonderful memories for you!; July 25, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Anonymous said...: As always, I truly enjoy reading your blessings as you "count them" one-by-one.

You have published 10 stories? Wow! Are you writing for a magazine or something? That sounds neat!

I had to laugh at #635, regarding workable shopping cart wheels, ha, ha!

Your husband and son sure worked hard on that car. It reminds me of my husband. He could work on a car in the heat, too, if he had to. :); July 25, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...: Boldness to step through doors of opportunity... what a wonderful gift. Shopping carts with working wheels... lol, love it! My dad is also a car guy and uses that orange soap too! :); July 25, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Sarah said...: You have a beautiful list a lot of thankfulness in your heart! The photos are priceless and such a treasure!; July 26, 2011 at 5:06 AM
Lisa Maria said...: Hi Kristin

Catching up on some reading.. kinda behind, so much keeping me from the computer these days! What an awesome list.. I love watching my husband working to fix something around the house. I love the sweaty shirts and dirty hands, the crease in his brow that shows me he's thinking through the problem.. my hero! I bet you feel the same way about yours.. they make us proud!

So happy your writing is going well... and boy is your blog growing! Happy and praying for you my friend.. looking forward to more on your homeless series.

Love & Hugs!; July 26, 2011 at 3:43 PM