Ponderings: The Bridge Christmas Party

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, December 26, 2011

The Bridge Christmas Party

December 25, 2011 we met at the walking bridge. They came from under the bridge, from an old, abandoned barn, the woods, one walked miles from who knows where and others came from out of nowhere; lonely people who came to be at a party given in their honor to celebrate the One we give glory and honor to. My friends, family and strangers with big compassionate hearts who wanted to help became like little elves bringing in tables, food, hot cocoa, hot cider, and hot coffee to serve our cold guests. We had a pianist and a violinst to serenade us with Christmas music. We even had a Christmas puppy out there to pet, cuddle and smile over. We all caroled together, even the homeless joining in with us, seeming to enjoy the company and the feeling of Christmas. . .the feeling of love, something they say they don't feel too much of. One stood to the side for the longest time, checking us out, but slowly made his way over to us. I caught him smiling, but not for the camera, as he talked with me and others, enjoying the hot drink.

My heart leaped with joy when several came up and said how wonderful it was to see people out there for them, that they would take the time and effort to throw a party for them, that they would spend some of their Christmas day for them. They live in a part of the world where they only see selfishness, people who want to hurt them or shun them or steal from them. I think it was a gift for them this day to be around a group of people that just wanted to welcome them, love on them, that they could relax and know they were not going to be hurt, that they could visit and join in the music and have a real Christmas Day filled with love and joy. As they walked away, they were given a big green tote bag filled to the brim with goodies. They received gifts in many ways. So did we.

May they take that feeling and keep it in their hearts and remember the words to the Christmas songs we sang about our Lord and Savior, and to remember that Christ in the heart is the greatest gift of all.

~have to share this story~

When we were packing up these 40 goodie bags for the party a few days beforehand, we somehow came up short 8 beanie caps. A couple of days later, a friend of mine from Texas mailed me a box, not knowing about this, just that we had a blanket ministry. I opened it up and guess what I found???

Eight beanie caps! Along with gloves and jackets.

Don't you just love how God does that, taking care of the details!? :)

linking with

6 comments:

Aritha V. said...: O, I like your blog today and the wonderful pics. I read it en the photographs make it so beautiful. I like the child wit the violin. Music is so good for all people.; December 26, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Grace said...: Kris, you guys are FANTASTIC !!! May God heap blessings on you for all you are doing. Just tools in His hands... :); December 26, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Tracie said...: I love this. I too like going to the bridge just to sit with them. It makes them feel human. This was a wonderful blessing and I know they loved every minute of it. God bless you Kris.; December 26, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Maryellen said...: What blessings and joy you and the others gave to others and to bring Christmas cheer to those who see so little of the good in this world. Thank you for your heart that is so full of Jesus that it overflows so abundantly to others! Love you much!; December 27, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Lisa Maria said...: Wonderful, wonderful work Kristin! God bless all of you for being His hands and feet on such a special day when most of us would say we don't have time for others.

Lovely photos too... are my eyes correct? Did you have the joy of both your sons sharing this with you? What a lovely blessing! I can see that your Christmas was wonderful and I rejoice with you.

Love & Hugs; December 28, 2011 at 4:22 AM
Kristin Bridgman said...: Yes Lisa Maria, your eyes are correct :)
Love and hugs to you too

And I know you all know that when you go out to share Christ's love, the blessings always come back at ya. It was a good day!; December 28, 2011 at 1:32 PM