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

  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. ...

  Carried He has carried me Home, He has kept me from harm; For knowing my weakness, and seeing the storm; He has carried me Home, and has kept my heart warm *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand *** Psalm 23:1-6 ESV [1] The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.23.1-6.ESV

  Her Name Is Hope Her name is Hope. She is the young woman with the plain, honest face, travelling to work each day, with faith in her heart that God will answer her prayers for a husband, children, and home. Her name is Hope. She is the sweet, faithful mom, hanging up her wash, the wind whipping through her hair. As she works, she prays that her husband and children will accept Jesus. Her name is Hope. She clings to Jesus' Hand as her marriage falters then shatters through her husband's unfaithfulness. She keeps walking and hoping because of Jesus. Her name is Hope. The news she received today at her cheerful kitchen table nearly crushed her; and tears fall unceasing: a son lost on the battlefield, a prodigal child driving the knife in deeper, a car accident, an ailing loved one. And yet, she hopes. She clings to Jesus. She does not understand. How could she? But she never stops hoping. She prays, she trusts. She looks up. And once more, as she hangs up her wash in the gentle...

  Hostages We were all held hostage by the dragon of sin: But God! And then, The light broke in! All chains were broken when we came to Him *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand *** Have you brought your burden of sin to the foot of the cross? Jesus is waiting for you. He will save you if you call on Him. ***

  Richelle Brunstetter. Unsplash Hope Blooms His peace and love will reign  where missiles brutal fell As Zion blooms again  and Jesus makes all well *** 🙏🙏🙏 Copyright: pencil in His Hand ***

  Photo: Amir Afrefi. Unsplash Hiding Place As troubles now surround us, the way before is clear: I know that You will hide us; there is no need to fear. For when the skies grow darker still: You'll draw us to Your side; Through the clouds we'll fly away: to Your sweet love we'll ride *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand 💕🙏🇮🇱 Dear Readers, I hope that you are well. Just a note to say that God willing, going forward, posting will be as led by the Spirit. We are living in exciting times. The Lord's return is surely very close. There is no time to waste when it comes to sharing the Gospel and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ. With this in mind, posting may seem a bit random, so please subscribe if you like. This will also be true for my Afrikaans blog. Love and prayers,  Alison 

  Pray! So many people need our prayers: They need to feel that someone cares They need to know Lord Jesus too, be healed and drawn, be made brand new I think of all the suffering ones, held hostage, hurt by men with guns Some are being unfairly kept, marched away whilst mothers wept all while hungry children groan: we see their tears, we hear their moans our hearts sink low with their despair, we trust that Jesus truly cares and though we live so far away, He calls us daily, come now, pray! Listen, for He calls soon, go! Share the Gospel, ease their woe! Never ceasing in our prayers, take all to Him, the One who cares. *** Copyright: pencil in  His Hand. *** 🙏🙏🙏🙏

  Free coffee break read The Waiting Room. Episode Two: Robin Robin heard Tara moving about upstairs, getting ready to go out. She sighed slightly as she boiled the kettle for her last cup of tea of the day. At twenty-one, Tara was old enough to make her own choices, but it was hard on a mother. Especially seeing that Tara was walking on a path far different from the one Robin had envisioned for her: the narrow path. The one she herself had been walking for over twenty years. And as she walked this path, Robin had faithfully prayed for Tara, that she would choose Jesus too. Robin poked at the teabag in her mug absentmindedly. It had been a long, hard road. She'd done everything she could to bring Tara up right, to provide for her. Now, she felt her faith falter. Had it all been for nothing? She prayed as she stood at the counter. Surely not. Adding to her sense of urgency were the dark times they lived in. The Rapture must surely be very close, given the news headlines, especially ...

  Poems from my Heart Putting on the Brakes I'm slowing down breathing, stopping, Long enough to say Thank You I'm putting on the brakes: walking  not jogging resting not scrolling Long enough to  say Here I am: send me *** Happy Happy day! Oh Happy day! I go along, I sing, I pray Working, working, all day long It's He who makes me joyful, strong *** Message Here's a little song Just a few lines long It's only purpose is to say: My Jesus lives, He is the Way! *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand Ps: I will post episode two of The Waiting Room tomorrow, God willing. I'm aiming to post an episode on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. See you soon! :)

  A free serialized End-Times story A serialized End-Times story Introduction Dearest Readers, In the following post as well as the next few, you will meet some new characters. All are living as we are, in what we call the church age: the time period from Pentecost to the Rapture.  Article on Got Questions . The Rapture is the glorious event when Jesus will fetch His Bride. (All who belong to Him.)  Some of the characters will be searchers, others will be believers, and I will also include characters who are not interested in God. I am not entirely sure in which direction this little project will go, but I will write as the Lord leads. In the process, I hope to exhort and encourage you, the reader. Blessings, Alison Episode One: Tara As Tara got ready for her date, she glanced at the note tacked up next to the mirror, and wondered for the umpteenth time why her mother had put it there. She puckered her lips and applied "cherry red. " She'd read the note once, of course, w...

Breathe Dying to self   Blue Berg river Slower Slow, slower, slower to a place where  thoughts can meet Slow, slower, slower 'til I'm sitting at Your feet *** Awhile back, I wrote a post about poetry writing which I never posted. I thought it would be good to re-visit that topic. When you write your own poems, you quickly become aware that poetry is not the favourite reading material of most people. Neither is it what most people write. I guess that's because there remain many misconceptions about poetry. Some people believe that poetry is too hard to read or understand, let alone write. I sympathize. Much poetry is pretty high-brow; the subject of university English lectures and dreaded by many students. Poetry however, cannot be put into a box. Yes, it can be written in a vague, mysterious, or unfathomable way. But it can also be simple, honest, and even plain and easy to relate to. Poetry can follow a certain form, style, or rhyme scheme. It can have perfect rhythm and c...

  Photo: Marcus Woodbridge. Unsplash Doubt Tossed Tossed and wavering to and fro on my boat as storm winds blow Now I'm in the valley next up high up and down 'neath threat'ning sky Enough! I must decide: choose this day leave all doubt rest in Him alway *** Copyright: Alison Lawrence

 Poems and a Mini Story Pretty posy Jungle Gym Life comes to meet us at the bars which seem to reach up to the stars And like a child, we look up high; count metal bars and strips of sky Anxiety holds us in its grip: we're scared to fall, to stumble, slip Then father points to lowest bar; says, don't look up; start where you are And  so in life, it is the best to trust in God, to take one step Pomegranate in our garden A new name Slowing Down We're slowing down enough today to come to the  park so the girls can play: up and down, and round and round; speeding up, yet slowing down A Short, yet Powerful Story This is a very short story. A story of countless lives cut short: Sudden. Tragic. Violent. And, it is a story about the God-Man who allowed His own life to be cut short; so that even in our most desperate times there may be hope. And life eternal. ******* Yet... Evil threatens to overwhelm: It threatens to  overwhelm It troubles our vision, and  invites doubt...

  Tiny Stories of Hope: Agatha Free coffee break read Winter was hitting the Cape of Storms hard this year. Agatha could feel the sting of the icy air through her layers of clothing as she made her way to the bus shelter.  Just as she reached it, the rain began lashing down. By standing on the bench, she and her fellow commuters were able to keep their legs and feet dry. "In times of trouble, He will shelter me." God's love warmed her as she recalled the verse she'd read whilst eating her breakfast. Agatha's eyes met those of a fellow traveller, and she smiled before offering him a tract. "May I give you one of these? It's all about our true shelter." *** Bible verse: Psalm 27:5 (GNB) *** Shelter Whom shall I fear? What shall I dread? I shall smile and remember my Strong Tower instead. *** Story and poem copyright: Alison Lawrence *** Love, prayers, and blessings! Thanks for stopping by. Alison 💖💖💖 ***

  Tiny Stories of Hope: Allan Free coffee break read The man fidgeted with his tie and rattled his newspaper. Why did he feel so annoyed, even agitated by the happy scene playing out on the other side of the restaurant? Somehow he couldn't prevent himself from peeping out from his newspaper now and again. He watched as Allan beamed at his pretty wife then took a seat alongside her. Others were seated at the large table too: probably family members. They were laughing and talking, clinking glasses. Numerous trips to the buffet were made. It was a jolly scene, with Allan sitting like a king in the midst of it.  The man's stomach knotted and he clenched his fists as he watched. His  food iced over as did his heart, but no amount of seething could wipe the joy from the face of his despised co-worker as he feasted at his banquet. *** "You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; You welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim. I know that Your...

  Tiny Stories of Hope: Ada Free coffee break read  Ada surveyed her scuffed shoes. From these, her gaze travelled to the dirty, dying autumn leaves and a crumpled sweet wrapper which displayed an empty promise of choc-mallow-surprise. Soggy cigarette butts sprinkled here and there completed the picture.  At last, her heart could bear it no longer. Ada lifted her head and studied the turquoise blue patch directly above her. It looked like a portal placed especially there for her amongst the somber, heavy clouds. "Keep your chin up, Ada." Her mother's voice echoed in her mind. "Keep your chin up, Ada." She smiled softly as she recognized the voice of Jesus in her heart. *** Dear Reader, Is your heart down there on the ground with your shoes today? Will you lift your heavy heart and head with Ada, and look to Jesus once more? " I look to the Lord for help at all times and He rescues me from danger." Psalm 25:15 (G N B) *** Lifted Up When eyes are focused...

Heatwaves, Stuggles, and Memories in Poetry. Summer heat Heatwave A heatwave of circumstance, trial and trouble presses around me, threatens to  overwhelm. Intensifying heat absorbs all joy. I grumble, discontented, thirsty, drained. Then: I remember You: The living water, refreshing, cool, and sweet: I am flooded with Your peace: Eternal life is mine and all is well. Pauses are so needful.  Pause Things went all wrong today: forgot to pause, forgot  to pray. Now, I stop to  pause and pray, and cling to Jesus as I travel my way Warm day  Refreshment I miss my  mother's kindness on days like this: Days of  unmerciful  scorching heat. Those cups of Earl Gray tea beside the  airconditioner. May I too refresh others walking on life's trying, hot and dusty way. *** Copyright: Alison Lawrence Love and blessings 💜💜💜

How are you Doing Today? Cloudy  How are you doing today? If someone asks you this oft asked question, what do you answer? "OK." "Fine, thank you." Or perhaps, "I'm doing alright." Your answer may be perfectly true, or perhaps not. In all honesty, and I realize that this may sound a bit dramatic, most of us are not actually doing that well. Life for most of us consists of a rather complicated arrangement of circumstances. Of course, we do grow accustomed to them, and may not even think about them overly much as we go about our busy days, but our background problems do not just go away. Many of us end up living  with less than ideal circumstances for much of our lives, or even until our passing. Pretty negative and gloomy sounding isn't it? I'm thinking now of the failed marriage that never comes right. The adult child who never seems to flourish and move on. The health problem that has no cure, and poisonous people who steal your peace and rema...