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

  Rapture Chronicles: Casey Casey shook her head in disbelief: A runaway fire, torrential rain, and flooding. Plus three tornadoes. All in one day. And one tornado had torn through and area that was considered tornado free. She took a sip of her fast cooling coffee, and her fingers clenched the polka dot mug. At least her area remained disaster free. For the moment. At times like these, she wondered whether she should make mention of of weather events or world news on her You Tube channel. Hers was a homemaking channel. Strictly serene and inspirational. A weekly dose of slow living for hectic souls. And yet, she couldn't help feeling a bit fake. With everything that was going on in the world, Jesus return must surely be close. Casey couldn't shake the feeling that she should be shouting out a warning. Was she lulling her viewers to sleep by focusing on everything nice, and cozy, and pleasing? Casey took a quick swallow of her drink. "But people need a bit of peace Lord. E...

  Hope Today could be the day, that loved ones bow and pray, That all who've gone astray will find Your precious way. Yes. Today could be the day. And today might bring the sound of a trumpet all around, As Jesus' love abounds and He lifts us from the ground. Yes. Today might bring the sound. *** Thank You Lord Thank You Lord, I can do this day, Thank You  Lord, I can walk and pray. Thank You Lord, by my side You'll stay. Thank You Lord,  I can take one step, Thank You Lord, You have paid my debt, Thank You Lord, You have said don't fret Thank You Lord, for this could be the day, Thank You Lord, when You take us away, Thank You Lord, by Your side we will stay. *** At His Side The safest place is at God's side and there beneath His wings I hide. The strongest place is where He keeps His little ones, His own dear sheep. The highest path is His sure way so follow Him and never stray. *** Pure Joy Wind rages, branches whip Cold darkness envelopes the garden But here, bl...

  Rapture Collection Dear Readers, Given the urgency of the times, I felt it on my heart to write this post. I have written several stories with a Rapture message. Below are links to three of them. You will find other references to the Rapture, or the great snatching away of the Bride, throughout the blog. I will also include a link to my testimony. Today is the day to repent and to call on Jesus to save you. With much love and prayers, Alison Waiting A Reason To Clean The Last Reminder My Testimony  (Scroll to view. I titled it, He Stooped Down.)  💕🙏🩷

  Photo: Joshua J. Cotten The Bird Feeder Penny watched in fascination as the eager birds descended upon Aunt Tina's bird feeder. The elderly woman had just placed seed in it. Penny moved closer to the kitchen window, not wanting to miss a moment. The male weaver birds with their bright yellow breasts were the boldest. Their soft, brown mates followed their lead, and a flock of sweet sparrows pecked at the fallen bounty on the ground below. Penny smiled a little sadly. How hungry the birds seemed as they darted about and swung on the bird feeder. Still, she doubted that they could be as hungry as she was. Inside, she felt as hollow as the old log in Aunt Tina's rockery. Empty. Alone. Painfully alone since Jeremy had walked out on everything they'd built together over a span of twenty years. Now, she was hungry for hope and for answers. Her whys still echoed three years after he'd closed the door on all she'd held dear. Aunt Tina's kind voice interrupted her tire...

  An Answer For Adeline All Adeline knew was that she was at her wits end, and ready to throw in the proverbial towel. Having a husband, five children, several pets, and a part time job, meant that she was spinning several plates at once. And, two of those plates were teenagers. Another plate was a challenging marriage. Then there were the careening plates of three busy younger boys, one of whom had recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Her part time job as a receptionist was probably the least wobbly of her plates. That is, until she received a phone call from the school principal during work hours. Often, she’d stay up far too late, whilst she searched for answers to her problems online. How to cope with ADHD in boys, Teenagers and social media, Communication in marriage, How to get your kids to help around the house… Or, she’d watch an endless stream of YouTube videos. Each one dishing out advice about everything from the ideal routine to revolutionize your life, to decluttering s...

  A Few Poems And Thoughts Peace Set your mind on things above and learn to live in His great love. Down here we stress and rush about as loud and worldly voices shout. But as for you, don't pay them mind walk with Jesus, peace you'll find. *** I need to question myself and my motives regularly. It's not about me. Sometimes, I think my whole day revolves around the need to get to that place called "Time for Myself." I know that I am terribly selfish. Although I do much for others, I think that a lot of the time, it's all about me: my feelings, my pain, my hurt. That's the way we humans are. Only with God's help can we change or do true good. Also, I seem to always be busy with some project or other. Or book. I seem to always have a mental to-do list of projects. I struggle to just be. To be still. And there is never enough time for everything. For certain, time is short. I just know that there is no time for the unimportant. And yet, most of one's ...

  Cassie's Calling: Version Two Prologue The proud mother strapped her little one into the stroller, then tucked a baby blue blanket around her. They were all set for a walk around the sun-bathed garden. Baby wore a cute sun hat as well as a bib for any unexpected mishaps. She made a slow circuit around the swimming pool, being careful to dodge any bumps as well as Arthur the cat with his proud stare and Tessie, the white bull terrier, with her understanding doggie smile. “No, Tessie. Don’t come too close. Baby is sleeping. No doggie kisses either. You can walk along with us if you want to though.” The faithful pet happily agreed and walked beside the pram as Cassie did another lap around the pool. When Arthur placed an exploratory paw on the blanket, Tessie nosed him out of the way and was rewarded with a “good dog!” by the little mother.  When Cassie had determined that her infant had absorbed enough sunshine for the day, she headed back to the house with Tessie ever vigilan...

A Poem, Thoughts, Photos, And Flash Fiction Focus Keep your eyes on Him, on His precious face keep your face uplifted as you walk by His grace Keep your mind on His Word, as you travel through the day go first to the Scriptures and get light for your way. *** How often don't we rush to the world for help, advice, and inspiration? We jump to videos, blogs, self-help books, influencers, and social media. Sometimes, we go to friends or to family as we look to them to solve our problems. We go everywhere but to the One True Source Of Help: God's Word. Scripture reference: Psalm One. *** Thought: Am I overwhelmed with joy as the wise men were? *** I will let the photos tell their own story:)   *** Mending My needle goes in and out, in and out of the denim. Such a small chore, yet so satisfying. There will be a patch now, and instead of trying to camouflage it, I am going to let the old jeans tell their story, with bright stitching, and an embroidered daisy. No, I am not perfect, the...

  Anchor If you keep your focus on Him through the day, If you stop what you're doing, and simply pray: If you practice His Presence through the chores and din, He'll remain your anchor through thick and thin. *** Copyright: Alison Lawrence *** Love and prayers❤️🙏🤗 ***

  Poems, Photos and a Glimpse of my Garden Rest of soul and peace of mind are hard for you  and me to find: Until we rest our  hearts in God; strength will falter, days grow hard A new day to pray, to love and give, A new day to serve, to work and praise, A new day to soak in Your precious peace I wish I could go back to all the happy days: to hold on to those moments, and sing a song of praise. Love and kindness I would bring, and serve the Lord much more. I truly wish it could be done through an old and hidden door. But since I cannot go back, to those sweet and bygone days, I'll give to Jesus all my heart so He can change my un-nice ways *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand *** St John's creeper New growth. (Not sure whether they are flowers or veg.) Protecting my carrots Paprika Looks like a chilli A good showing of coriander and some other herb. Swiss chard doing nicely My books

  My seed box Seeds of Patience Dearest Reader, March is now nearing an end, but it is still a great time for sowing seeds here in the Southern hemisphere. The very hot weather is behind us, and it is time to start on autumn and winter crops. I was very excited for March to arrive, and had been getting my containers ready through the summer. I love the thought of cooler days, rain showers and lush green growth, though I could do without the snails! So, with my goal in mind, I soon got busy. I sowed swiss chard, carrot, spring onion, radish, cabbage, pansy, coriander, and sweet pea seed. Then just today, I added some calendula and mixed herbs to the mix. Exciting times.😊 But then, one realises, comes the hard part. Waiting. It generally takes about two weeks to see some action from the seeds you sowed. Also, seeds need to be kept moist, so there's quite a bit of work involved. I try to keep the end goal in sight and not get too hung up on time, but it's hard. Many times I have ...

  Extra posts this week:) Another "Thoughts" post tomorrow, and a mini inspirational story on Friday. Joy vs Happiness "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice." Philippians 4:4 *** Dear Reader, Are you happy today? Perhaps you've just been shopping. Your bank account is looking good, and you went for a cruise to the mall and spoilt yourself with a new outfit, some cute decor for your house and garden, and some luxuries from the supermarket. And it made you happy. Even better, it was a splendid, cloudless, morning and the countryside where you live looked like something from a dream destination on You Tube. Bliss. You were definitely happy as you enjoyed the carefree morning and your bargains. But may I ask, just how long did the happiness last? An hour? Maybe two? Or, perhaps if everything kept going your way, the whole day? Now, before you think I'm bashing happiness, I'm not. I've had my fair share of golden sunshine days and satisfyin...

  Too Much Dear Reader, So often, I have felt this way: that I simply cannot make it. The burdens have grown too heavy. The pain is too great. The disappointment too crushing. It seems like every morning I take some time to feel very sorry for myself. No. I simply do not have the strength for anything. Perhaps staying in bed would be a good idea. But then, I remember. He has reminded me many times. "Give each load you carry to Me. Put it in a basket and float it on the Nile. Bring it to the strong tower. It will be safe with Me. Place it on the Rock which cannot move. Lay your burdens at the foot of the cross. Lay them in My arms." Yes, Lord. I will . "Good." And then another whisper: "Just one day, child. Just one step at a time." Yes, Lord, I can do that with You at my side, holding my hand. But Lord, what about tommorow? "Don't worry, child. We will do this again each morning. And you will make it. One day at a time." *** Matthew 11:28. ...

  The Creator's Tree Creation's songs grace every breeze which dances merry through the trees, and some, they listen quite entranced, decide that all was made by chance. The mocking myth lives on in minds that all it took was much, much time! And so, they bow down to the trees, and worship all that they can see. Never spot the Master's Hand, they praise His stars and kiss His land. They worship all the beauty round, The Father's touch they have not found. Dear Lord, please touch  dear ones like these: May they fall down at that dear tree, where Jesus makes Creation free. *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand *** *Note: The tree alludes to the cross, where Jesus died to save us from our sins. Jesus' redemption plan also includes the earth and nature. Have you called on Him to save you? My testimony can be found here: