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

Friday, February 8, 2013

Go Into All The World. . .




And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark: 16:15

There once was a little four year old boy who heard his daddy talking to big brother about taking a camping, fishing trip for the weekend.  His daddy did not think his very young son was quite old enough and ready for such a big trip. But the young son assumed he would be going too.

On the morning of the big trip, Dad and older brother arose early and left. Hours later when little brother woke up and went looking for daddy and brother and realized they had left, his eyes grew big and cried out, 'They went without me, they left me!'

He cried hard for what seemed like an eternity.  Momma felt so bad for him. She wanted to cry too. She tried to explain to him that he was told he couldn't go on this trip because he wasn't big enough but that he would go with them somewhere later. She told him he and she could do something fun.  That did not help. Momma shed tears with him and told him she was sorry and just consoled him until he felt better.

When daddy was told about this later, he felt awful!  So he planned another camping trip, this time just an overnight one and the three of them left for their adventure together. Young son was SO happy.

Forward ahead to twelve years later, this boy left the country on a mission trip to Costa Rica.  Momma was so happy for him, she cried.

Forward ahead two more years, and same boy traveled further on a mission trip to Scotland and Momma was so happy she cried.

Forward two more years and same son is now preparing to go on another mission trip in the summer to Niger, Africa, the furthest away yet. And the papers say he will be doing remote camping!

That little boy who didn't get to go on the big camping trip with Daddy and big brother is now called to travel the world for Jesus. He doesn't cry anymore.
His momma now sits around and cries but only because she is so happy for him and so proud!

Jesus has taken my son from camping at the lake down the road from our home, to clear across the country to camp in Niger, Africa and share His Word.

An African proverb says this:
If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

My son has learned to stand for what he believes in and that is Jesus Christ and God's Word.
He fought through a depression 5 years ago by standing on the Word.  He was willing to fail a college Hinduism class because he stood up for the Word.
He can travel to far away places because He believes what and WHO he stands for.

Go into all the world my son. . .You have our blessing, you have our love, and God has you.

The little boy has grown up and will be walking the Karma Road in August.
Will you join me in prayer for Christopher, for provisions, for good health, for all details to go smoothly and for safety?

Thank you!
(Now I have to go put tissues on the list.)





 

13 comments:

Beth Zimmerman said...

Your Christopher sounds much like my Josiah!He's 23 and has been to Guatemala, Brazil, the Philippines, China, India, Nepal, and Haiti plus assorted US Missions. Even when he is home ... his heart is out there ... somewhere! He's 23 and living at home so he can finish school and then head off to seminary so he can be a career missionary. It is hard to let go some times but such a blessing to know that we are releasing them into the care of the Lord!

Beth Zimmerman said...

PS - Nepal was a 5 month mission trip and he spent much of it trekking in the Himalayas! They went camping at the Mount Everest Base Camp. Talk about cold! He loved every minute! The weekend before they came home they went here: http://www.thelastresort.com.np/ and did this: http://www.thelastresort.com.np/content/28 & this: http://www.thelastresort.com.np/content/29 He brought home videos! =)

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

What a blessing you have for a son! I will pray for Christopher right now!!!!

Lisa Maria said...

Your momma's heart must be just about feeling to burst! I pray that God will protect and provide for Christopher...may this experience bring him spiritual growth even as it takes him to greater knowledge. I also pray for his proud parents that they will trust that God will take him through whatever He leads him to.

Love from over the seas!

Reformed rebel said...

So happy for Christopher that he gets to pursue his love for missions and travel the world for JESUS. Will pray for him.

Anonymous said...

Sweet post from a momma's heart! :)

bluecottonmemory said...

I remember being left behind on a trip when I was little - and I cried and cried and cried:) I felt your son's pain - but what a beautiful journey his being left behind took. Joyful crying is a beautiful thing to a mother:)What an affirmation to your parenting.

Amy Sullivan said...

That happens to be one of my all time favorite proverbs...powerful, powerful.

Denise said...

Will be praying for your precious son.

Wise Hearted said...

I too will pray for your son. So understand, his eyes have affected his heart..to not go..would be disobeying. Praise God he has a mother who sheds tears as she goes about helping him go. In New Tribes we have a quote...Reach Beyond Your World...he is reaching and you are part of his team giving him extended arms for his reaching. Much blessings.

Kristin Bridgman said...

Thank you sweet ladies, your prayers for my son means a lot!
God bless you~

a joyful noise said...

They go forth singing as they reap the harvest. You are blessed with a son who stands up for what he believes and is able to go on these "camping trips" for Jesus. Thank you for sharing at "Tell Me a Story."

caryjo said...

Oh, Kristin, I'm so blessed to know that he is moving forward over and over again, simply to serve the Lord any way that is put on his path. Means so much to me to know of someone in our present day and age that will go wherever he is needed, serving whenever he is called. He is a blessing ... and so is his mom [and dad and brother and....].

Touched my heart.