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

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Quilts of Love

my first pinwheel

 
I was taught by a friend years ago to quilt.  There's just nothing like a warm, hand-made quilt to lay on your bed or wrap up in while reading a book!
 
my first jean quilt with red backing
 
I pray quilting does not become a lost art.  Everything these days is so rush, rush, rush but quilting is anything but rushing.  Just the opposite. . .much patience is required and bandaids for those needle pricked fingers, but the end result is so worth it.

My mother sent me this story from the internet and I loved how it ended.  Thought I would share it with you along with some of the quilts I've made with love. . .



my very first one
 
 
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
 
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
 
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was.  They were filled with giant holes.
 
Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
 
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.  Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
 
made from all my scrap material
 
 
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
 
ragged quilt
 
 
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.  The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries.  So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
 
3rd quilt
 
 
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.  I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pic up and begin again.  I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Fatgher in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
 
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what is was.
 
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
 
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
 
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said,"Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
 
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
 
bible quilt
 



 

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! 
 
 
I made this for my youngest son when he was 3, 16 years ago.  He still likes it on his bed. The materials were old when I made it.  It is now wearing away but it is still loved:)
 
And after 6 years, I know the prodigal still sleeps with the one made for him. A little bit of home wrapped in love.




5 comments:

Brandee Shafer said...

I love quilts. So much. I have one from each of my grandmothers and a particularly worn one from my great-grandmother. The latter is the one I reached for, today, to comfort my sick 2yo. We recently brought home, from my MIL's yard, a wooden ladder that had belonged to my FIL, who passed in '99. We popped it against a log wall and hung a quilt from each rung. It makes me so happy.

Denise said...

Quilts are so awesome.

Aritha V. said...

I love the story. May I translate it and place it on my blog in March????? ( With a link to this post?)

Have a fine week. I hope you are in a good health! xxx

Beth Zimmerman said...

We have several quilts and quilted wall hangings. I LOVE them! My sister-in-law does machine quilting. (http://www.valhillquilting.com/ - I don't have any that are worth thousands, lol) I love your rag quilt and the Bible quilt. Just beautiful!

Aritha V. said...

And here finally is the blog with the story that you got from your mother. Now there is a Dutch version ;-) I copied the picture of your damaged quilt. That is part of it!!! I hope you like it, though it is almost three months since I asked you permission :-)

http://kostbaar.blogspot.nl/2013/05/quilt-of-love-over-mijn-levenstapijt.html#.UYUVcvDCRdg