Pencil in His Hand: A Mother's Journal of Stories, Thoughts, and Poems.

  Photo: Jan Huber. Unsplash photo: Matthew Smith. Unsplash Gum trees. Photo: Pat Whelen.Unsplash  My Favourite Trees Gum trees always  take me back to younger days: cross country journeys, ribbon roads, endless train tracks, tyre song and shaded laybys, flasks of tea and sandwiches  of yesteryear  *** Do you have a favourite tree? A tree which evokes emotion within you? A tree which brings back childhood memories? Memories of sweet, golden days? Do the leaves whisper long ago snatches of laughter and conversation, making you long to go back? I feel that way about gum trees. Such ordinary trees. An invasive species where we live actually. They stir my heart. Far better though, than any earthly tree, is the heavenly tree of life, which one day we shall see. " The angel also showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowing down the middle of the city's street. On each side of the river ...

  On a late afternoon walk alongside the river Praises The trees and sky all praise You high and children add their happy cry My own eyes though are trained below: My joy and peace near gone and low But now I raise my heavy head Lift my praises smile instead A.S.L *** I wrote this poem whilst watching the girls as they played in the park. The trees and sky seemed to raise their praises to God along with the children's laughter. There were some down moments however as there always are in families, and my heart felt a bit heavy. It wasn't long though before I felt called to praise God too. :) A Blog Note Going forward, and of course, God willing, I will be posting poems in posts more or less like this one. If God lays a short story on my heart, I will post that too, although it will likely be in the form of flash fiction or a prose poem.  The place I am in my life is both a place of simplifying and of focus: God, family, and church must come before other things. So, when it come...

  The Fisherman Scripture inspiration: Matthew 4: 13-25 A fisherman goes walking to his little patch of sea; and by every observation he looks just like you and me And though he wears a backpack as he heads up 'long the shore; it bears no hooks, or bait nor knife for he catches fish no more His loving Master's orders are to hook a greater prize; to wander forth, find needy souls for whom his Jesus died He walks 'longside the sunrise all glorious hued and gold; and thinks about the stories 'bout missionaries been told Men and women humble, bold God's bright message outward took; and many creature comforts for His glory they forsook Tom is eager, unafraid at start of his own journey; leans on Jesus and His Word and each courageous story First encounters happy band: a group of people dance and play; they laugh at tracts he gives: say, play with us or go away Now the Spirit soon shows Tom: Alas! Their only goal is pleasure; they will not stop their romping to seek the p...

  A catchy song from the worship service re-played in Diane's brain as she and Justin walked home through the park. It was one of those perfect winter days: the kind some people refer to as an Indian summer. Yet, despite the beautiful weather and the fact that she had just been to church with the man she loved, Diane felt a kind of hollowness inside. The band had been truly amazing, the people friendly, the Pastor relatable. Not to mention, the coffee was on a level with gourmet. Yet despite all of this, she truly felt nothing once the music faded away and she left the auditorium. "Want to sit down for a mo before we go home?" Justin broke into her reverie. She smiled her agreement and he led her to a bench near the central fountain. Diane pushed her anxious thoughts aside and just savoured the feel of Justin's hand in hers as they sat watching the splashing water and busy pigeons. "You were deep in thought just now, D. Everything OK?" Justin asked lightly. ...

  Berg River Dearest Lord, I've been thinking about what it means to be a homemaker: mulling over words like sacrifice, obedience, surrender, as well as that long one that I can't remember right now, which speaks so eloquently of Your sacrifice.  Sometimes, when I'm pondering these aspects of being a homemaker, and indeed of being a Christian, a picture of a miserable, dull, doormat comes to mind, as I'm sure it does to many of us. But it shouldn't. Lord, You surrendered all, yet You were so strong, so royal, so peaceful, so full of joy as You walked with Your disciples and interacted with mankind here on Earth. You humbled Yourself and now You are exalted. So too, You call me to humble myself, to lay my life down here in the home. It's a daily surrender; a daily saying "No!" to the flesh. Some would definitely call it a doormat life. I disagree strongly. For just today I have been reminded of the countless blessings and enjoyments You allow me every d...

  Mom with V in V's memory corner Dearest Lord, Here I am again Lord. Thank You for always listening and caring for me. I am so aware today of your constant presence within me. I am never alone, never abandoned, never unheard. Whether I write my prayers down, or whether I say them out loud or breathe them within, You take time to listen. Thank You. I love You. Thank You for saving me; for dying for me; for all of us, on the cross. As You know, Mom has been very much on our minds these past days, it having been her very special birthday on the 29th of February. V and I love to put little mementoes and flowers on that day. Will You please tell her we love her? I was thinking about the cats today. I remember how the three of them would sit in a half circle in front of the oven waiting for Mom's famous scones to come out. They would get a little taste. I'm sure that V remembers the cozy scene too. And of coming home from school to a pot of tea and scones or something else. The ...

  God's Word Words strung on a garland: A garland of grace and love Some gentle, some hard, Some straight and plain: Words sparkling and crashing, Words falling like rain Words strung on a garland: A garland of grace and love, Words strung on a garland: A gift from our Father above A.S.L Copyright: Alison Lawrence Please look around the blog for plenty of encouraging free reads. 😊💜🙏 Love and blessings, Alison

  Yes and No In saying "yes" I say "no" In saying "no" I say "yes" Yes to Peaceful pauses Yes to play No to busy  Rush, rush, rush  And stretched thin Stress, stress, stress Yes to people, And quiet moments In God's Word Yes to unexpected visitors And God's appointments And when He asks Who will go? Yes Lord, send me. A.S.L 💕💕💕🙏🙏🙏 Copyright: Alison Lawrence