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

  Salvation  Stories: Gina Gina hummed a chorus from church as she gathered all the needed supplies together: a deep baking pan, flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, and eggs, along with the other sundries she needed to make a sumptuous celebration cake.  Great ! She had everything on hand. She decided to top the cake off with a creamy butter icing and some bright red cherries once it had cooled. As she worked, she sang every worship song she knew, and even did a couple of twirls. It was a good, good day. A great day. And the cake was just right. When they were all gathered around the table later, Gina planned to tell them why they were eating cake in the middle of the week. It wasn't anyone's birthday after all. No, wait! She laughed out loud. She was celebrating her spiritual birthday. After many years of thinking that being good, going to church now and again, and volunteering at the soup kitchen could get her into heaven, she was free! Born again, and made new. Yes, she still p...

  Photo: Sime Basioli. Unsplash Salvation Stories: Washed As he walked slowly to the front of the church, to where the kindly pastor stood waiting for him, he could feel the slimy weight of his own filth clinging to his being. He nearly turned tail and ran for the back door. Who do you think you are? A church is not the place for rubbish like you! The voice hissed in his ear, but he kept walking. Somewhere, deep inside himself, he knew that the pastor could help him. That Jesus was the answer. How he longed to get rid of the stinking weight! He knew with absolute certainty that no amount of strong soap could do it. Only Jesus' blood could wash him clean. He straightened his shoulders and walked the last steps with purpose. *** She had no more places to go, either in her mind or in the city. There was only one option left, and she needed to be quick before she lost her nerve. She could feel the darkness pressing in around her as she stepped off of the train, but she didn't falte...

  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...

  Escape Ona crept nervously through the shadows. Each step sounded hopelessly too loud in the silken air. Lomi had said not to fear the Darkness. The Darkness, he'd said, was actually a presence; a person. And now, The Darkness had extended an invitation to her, Ona, through Lomi. "A great honour," he had whispered as his burning gaze had sought her wide-eyed one. She had nodded. She knew something of The Darkness and of the meetings which were held in the dense copses and remote caves. Attending a meeting would take her from the edges where she'd been dabbling and into the inner circle. "You desire more knowledge, don't you?" Lomi drew her near, and suddenly, the relationship they shared seemed to be entwined with her decision. "I'll go." She said quietly. "But only if you go with me." Lomi had shaken his head. "No. Each one must go alone. It's safer that way." Lomi's voice was firm, but he toned it down when h...

  The Last Reminder "The world is going crazy, isn't it?" He turns his phone so she can see the news article. "Good thing our country's got a good nuclear program. Looks like it's going to be our only hope" Her smile is sad as she fingers the ring he gave her so many years ago. Part of her wants to keep quiet, but she obeys the prompting of the Spirit. "Our only hope is in Jesus and His soon return." Her voice is soft. Loving. After many mistakes it has gentled. He just grunts and turns back to the article. After a few moments though, he opens his mouth to comment, to say how naive she is, but her spot at the table is vacant. The scarf she was wearing is neatly draped over her chair, and   he catches the echoes of far away trumpets. *** Hebrews 11:5-6 ESV [5] By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. [6] And withou...

  Inspirational flash fiction The Teddy Bear: Flash Fiction "It must be nice to be so loved." Ava stroked the cute bear Hunter had given me on Valentine's Day. I smiled gently. "It is." Instead of putting the bear back, Ava hugged it close. "I've often wondered what it feels like to be cherished." I heard the tremor in her voice, then, praying for wisdom, I touched her hand. "Do you remember how Mom would make us our favourite cake and meal each birthday? And how she'd somehow find the exact present we wanted?" Ava smiled. "Yes. She made me feel so loved. Somehow, I could feel Jesus' love for me in her smile; her actions." I sat beside her and cut us each a generous slice of chocolate cake. Mom's recipe. Sunlight bathed my kitchen in sweet memories and Jesus' love. "Happy birthday dear Ava, happy birthday to you!" *** Dearest Reader, Do you long for love? For a deep, abiding love? Well, that's the k...

  Free flash fiction The Rosebush: Flash Fiction "I thought you might like something that will last a little longer." He smiled his quirky smile, and her eyes travelled first to the drooping flowers on the table, then to the plant in his arms. "We can keep this one on the patio. Red for love, you know." He winked and planted a kiss on her surprised  mouth. They made planting the rose bush their Saturday afternoon project. "Somehow, it reminds me of marriage." She spoke softly as she patted the soil. "There are the hard bits, like these thorns, but then there is the beauty." He drew her close as they knelt by the planter, the roses on the small bush almost completely covering the thorns. *** Snuggling I'm nestling in Thy Hand through storm, and wind, and drought: While nestling in Thy Hand, I wake and look about: then seeing Thou art here, I snuggle deeper still, and in Thy endless care, I cast my doubt and fear *** Patience Like still, sweet,...

Free inspirational story. (Serialized.)  The Waiting Room.Episode Seven. The Invitation Grayson leaned slightly foward in his chair throughout the meeting. What the preacher was saying was fascinating. The most pressing question in his mind was whether what he said was true. Were a series of incredibly detailed prophecies about to play out for the world to see? And how could anyone survive such catastrophic events? At first, Grayson had been distracted by Robin's nearness; by the scent of her subtle perfume, and the movement of her hand as she wrote notes. But now, his eyes were directed solely on the preacher and his chart. The man began to read from the Bible before him: Revelation 8:1-13 ESV [1] When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. [2] Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. [3] And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to...

  Free serialized story The Waiting Room. Episode Four: Grayson "So, how are the two of you doing? Do you need anything?" Robin walked to the window over-looking the town house's small garden. A familiar feeling of sadness washed over her as she listened to her ex's voice. If only... "We're doing fine. And you?" "I'm good. How are Tara's studies coming along?" "You could ask her yourself." She said gently. "When last did the two of you have a father and daughter date?" "Since before we all got so busy." Grayson sounded contrite. "I'll phone her tonight." "She'll like that." Robin kept her voice light, but a big part of her wished that the two of them could go back in time, to when they'd been in love and dating. "Well, I'd best be off." Robin said as she gazed unseeingly at a vibrant hibiscus shrub. "I'm going to a Bible study.' Grayson was quiet fo...

  Free serialized story. End-Times. Romance The Waiting Room. Episode Three: Oliver "I booked a table for  two at The Fig Tree." Oliver said as he opened the car door for Tara. "You'll love it." Tara smiled at her handsome date. "It sounds fabulous." Oliver was several years older than she, and already a rock star in the world of design. Tara on the other hand, was still studying at business college and working as a waitress part time. "You've been there before." She said. Of course he had. Oliver was always having lunch with clients. At the best restaurants. "Yes." He flashed a smile her way. Oliver ordered the fig and camembert starter and the couple settled in for a relaxed evening. But Tara found her mind wandering back to where it had been before  Oliver picked her up. "Do you believe in God?" She asked. Her voice sounded loud in the quiet ambience of their surroundings. Oliver's fork clattered to his plate. ...

  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 ...

  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...

  Free coffee break read. Welcome! Salvation Stories: Mattie Mattie's finger moved rythmically as she scrolled through her feed. It was her lunch break, so she didn't have much time. Despite her need to eat and rest, her slave driver of a phone glared insistantly at her: keep looking! Keep scrolling! Mattie caught a glimpse of a Christian post as she scrolled on: something about Jesus being the only way. Her mind fired up for a moment. Could the claim be true? Was Jesus the only way to Heaven? A little further on, she paused at a video: an advertisement for a well known Bible app. Mattie pushed her phone away and finished her lukewarm coffee. She allowed her mind free reign whilst she did so. Her phone showed she had ten minutes left. Mattie grabbed the device. Her thumbs moved with lightning speed: click, click, click. And then, Mattie tapped the download button next to the Bible app that Toby used. She opened it and read the verse of the day: John 14:6 ESV [6] Jesus said to h...

  The Searching: Back on the Blog, Plus News Dear Readers, You may remember this sweet story featuring Tirsa and Yoni and their adventures. It's set in a world of my own making, and tells the story of a couple of young seekers. If you have yet to read it you can find it  here . Please share it with friends and family. :) Plus! The sequel to The Searching will be coming to the blog soon. It is called "The Yearning," and in it, we return to Sybella for more adventure and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. See you again after the holiday. Love and prayers, Alison

  Free fiction. Coffee break read Anna's Anchor On a sun-infused week day morning, Anna poured a cup of scented tea into her favourite cup. She lived alone now. Gone were the days when the  house was filled with loud voices, arguments, door slamming. And of course, the noisy, happy sounds were fewer too. Anna smiled. There had been plenty of those amongst the less than joyful ones. The Lord was her witness that she'd done everything she could to make the family home a peaceful and happy one. She'd even shared the Gospel with her volatile husband, but he'd reacted typically. "Don't preach at me Anna!" Barry had shouted on that decisive day. "Find someone else to Bible bash or I'll leave." Anna remembered how she'd stood frozen to her spot in the kitchen, hands clenched and tears coursing down her cheeks. And she remembered her desperate pleas to God and how she'd been comforted by His embrace. And then, His gentle reminder: "There...

  Photo: Matt Seymour. Unsplash Rosie's Story. Episode Seven That Monday, Rosie gave a sigh of relief as she arrived home after school. She closed the small metal gate with a happy clang. As she skipped up the path, she imagined that the petunias and snapdragons were smiling with her. "It's so good to be home." She sang out as she walked through the door. "Come on through to the kitchen, Rosie. Tea's ready." Rosie dumped her satchel in the hallway and followed the aroma of freshly baked scones. Later, she would fondly remember the familiar scene: her mother and sister seated at the round kitchen table, the fat teapot and plump scones before them, and Minnie purring  contentedly in front of the still warm oven, the crumbs on the floor evidence that she'd already eaten her share. "So, how was school?" Rosie didn't mind answering her mom's usual question, although she didn't tell all. Just as she hadn't told all about the sleep...

  Photo: Jeremy Bishop. Unsplash Rosie's Story. Episode Six "How about coming to my house for a sleep over on Saturday, Rosie? Our last one was in the holidays. Please say yes. It will be such fun." Pamela's pretty eyes pleaded. "I've got three movies to catch up on and they're too scary to watch alone. Besides," she giggled, "my brother Carl's friend Rob is going to be there." "Rob?" Rosie's eyes widened. "He's dreamy." Her face fell though as Pamela pressed her for an answer. Pamela was her best friend, and she'd do anything to go to the sleep over. But she knew without a doubt that her mother would say no. Sleep overs were only allowed in the holidays, and it was all because of church. "I dont know, Pam. You know what my mom's like." They were walking to art class, which was Rosie's favourite. Now she felt unusually gloomy as they entered the class. "Why not ask your dad?" P...

Photo: Wren Meinberg. Unsplash Rosie's Story. Episode Five Rosie snuggled down into her covers while Minnie stirred then re-arranged herself as only a comfortable cat can do. It was winter in the Cape, but it was also Saturday morning. Rosie felt happy down to her toes. There'd be no cold walk to the bus stop and no annoying school. She was free for the day, and she knew exactly how she was going to start it off. Rosie reached for the mystery novel on her bedside table and settled in for a long read. Then, in what felt like mere minutes, she heard a soft knock on her bedroom door. Rosie's mother entered the room. She wore a pretty apron and a bandana over her thick, dark hair. She perched on the edge of Rosie's bed and smiled. "That looks like a good book, but you'll need to put it down for a bit. You have chores to do, and we need to go to confession later on, OK?" Rosie groaned from behind her book. "But it's Saturday, Mom. Can't I just stay...