It was full at the bridge during our Homeless Outreach Ministry this past Tuesday evening. Over 50 guests arrived to eat, to fellowship, and carry on. The atmosphere for the most part was light hearted. We were rejoicing with one of our men who had been homeless pretty much for the past 11 years, under the bridge for a long time, almost died 6 months before when he fell from the bridge and now he is doing well. Someone gave him a chance on a farm and our friend is taking the job seriously and doing well and has a roof over his head now. He is happier than we have ever seen him. People were walking and chatting all over the bridge. At the end of the evening as guests were leaving, I noticed a new man sitting on the concrete sitting and he was distraught, he was upset and not knowing what to do. He didn't know how to move forward. As I was standing in the center of the bridge praying about what to do, I saw my husband walk over and sit next to the man and began talking. I looked away thanking God for sending the right one over. I looked up again and my husband had taken hold of the man's hand, their heads bowed, my husband was praying for this man. The man noticeably became calmer.
I started to capture the scene with my camera I take there every week, but I stopped before even taking it out the bag. It was such a holy moment, I couldn't lessen it with a picture. It would have been a beautiful picture, but in this hidden moment, I felt it should stay hidden. . .well, hidden as far as not showing it from the camera.
There are many hidden moments at the bridge that I have not captured with my camera but they are all captured in my mind, like the two female volunteers who took hold of the crying man's hands and prayed over him. Another scared and crying man reaching out to one of our male volunteers and whispered, "Do you believe in God?" The Christian and the atheist shaking hands. My husband running across the street to buy a large water bottle for a man dying of thirst. Hearing grateful people saying "thank you" to the one who fed them, to the ones who prayed for them, for one giving a hug.
Love and grace at the bridge. . .it's all over the place. But it's in those hidden moments not noticed by everyone that sends tingles all over me. How many other hidden moments go on in this world that do not get noticed. There is One who does notice every single hidden moment though, our Lord and Savior. He knows. Can't you see Him smiling? But I am so thankful when He allows me to get a peek or even partake in those hidden moments. They are special. They are healing in more ways than one. It is grace flowing all around. It's a breath of fresh air.
I will continue to take my camera to the bridge, but when a hidden moment reveals itself to me and it is just too holy, the camera will stay at rest in the bag and the hidden moment will just stay captured in my mind. And I will thank the Lord for allowing me to peek in.
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
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
Thursday, May 22, 2014
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3 comments:
Amen, bless you.
Amen! Our church does a bridge ministry in Portland a few times a year. We have gone once so far, but plan on going back. My 13 year old granddaughter absolutely loves the people and wants to help them!
Capturing a hidden moment in your heart and it is there forever. Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful "picture" for all of us to see. Hugs & blessings as you continue God's work in you and through you...
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