Ponderings: I'll Be Home for Christmas

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 17, 2012

I'll Be Home for Christmas

I was born, raised and married in Tulsa, Oklahoma. So even after moving to Arkansas and later to Kentucky, I would always refer to home as back in Oklahoma. After all, that is where I grew up and all my family and my husband's family still live there.

But as I was re-reading the book of Ruth, I ran across something I had underlined 31 years ago.

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." Ruth 1:16-17

These words were a part of our wedding vows. I was reminded that wherever my husband was, that was my home. He and I became one all those years ago and as fond as I am of Oklahoma, my home is wherever he is.

When my husband Keith asked me almost 8 years ago how I felt about moving to Kentucky, I cried. After living in Arkansas 4 1/2 years , we moved back to Oklahoma in a town just an hour down the road from Tulsa. For 13 years, it was easy to make week-end trips there and the family up the road to see us. When I learned there would be over 700 miles between me and the rest of the family, I thought it might as well be at the other end of the world. No more week-end trips. More like one week out of the year! But there's that leaving and cleaving thing, and I took it seriously when I made those vows. While still upset about moving, I went to my Bible and read the Ruth verse again. I took a deep breath and said,

"Ok Lord, I'm ready to go."

Home is right beside my husband, whether it be in the plains and praries, the Ozark Mountains, or in the blue grass state. So yes, I'll be home for Christmas. . .right beside my sweetie.

~Merry Christmas to you from Keith and Kris~

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8 comments:

Shakin' the Foundation said...: Beautiful!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!! May God continue to bless you htis new year :))

Blessings~
Stacey; December 17, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Kristin Bridgman said...: Thank you Stacey! Merry Christmas to you my friend! Maybe we will meet next year? :); December 17, 2012 at 12:27 PM
a joyful noise said...: Such beautiful thoughts about home!
My heart belongs first to Jesus then to my husband, and I am at home! Thanks for sharing at Tell me a Story; December 17, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Floyd said...: You have a great perspective. My guess is that your husband would rope the moon for you if it were possible. That's what makes great families. Love in sacrifice. That's a great picture of you two.; December 17, 2012 at 4:43 PM
caryjo said...: A-MEN!!!!!!!!!! My husband is the one I can count on... fitting my schedule, my life, both family and ministry. Focusing on him is my main goal. Easy to become side-tracked. But also easy to notice immediately if anything is not going perfectly well. Gooooood teaching, sharing on your part.; December 17, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Denise said...: Really lovely.; December 17, 2012 at 7:56 PM
Stacie said...: Kristin,
This is a great post. . .very good! I, too know what it's like to leave ALL of my family, and everything I've known, behind to cleave with my husband. . .from the mid-west to the east coast.
This is a great post for renewed perspective.
Thanks for your wisdom and Merry Christmas!; December 18, 2012 at 6:43 PM
joy said...: Yes, home is where your heart is. I can relate to you having my family a million miles away. But God is with us wherever we go and so with them. Merry christmas:); December 19, 2012 at 9:10 PM