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

   THE SCOTTISH SEAT Beth Arbuckle put the finishing touches on an exquisitely laid table. Rain was falling again on the lush green garden of Larbert House. Beth sighed as she thought of her home in South Africa, where the sun shone freely. She'd chosen Scotland for her working holiday because of a fascination with her Scottish roots. The waitressing job at Larbert House helped fund some sightseeing and research. She walked over to the sideboard where her friend Mandy was hard at work polishing the silverware to a sharp shine. Beth picked up a soft cloth and joined in. "Don't you get tired of all the rain?" She asked, I was hoping to take a walk in Larbert Woods later."  "Well, don't let a little water stop you,"Mandy smiled."Round here we'd never go anywhere if we bothered about the rain." "You're right, Mandy. I need to toughen up a bit. I'll just take my brolly." ****** She enjoyed the solitude as she walked. Shari...

  Rapture Chronicles: Mark Mark gave Christine a rushed kiss on the cheek before hurrying to the garage. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Go, go, go. Mark's feet complied. This was the soundtrack of his life; along with work, work, work, and worry, worry, worry. He jammed his phone in its holder and jabbed at it before pulling away. His work week had begun. "How's it going?" Neil's jolly face peered into Mark's office later. "Not too good, and its giving me a headache." He pointed at his computer screen. "Prices are up across all departments." Neil's expression grew sober as he stepped into the room. "It's a sign of the times. Along with everything else that's going on. Jesus' return is very soon, that's all I can say." "Could be hundreds of years away." Mark squinted at the screen as he spoke. "Rising prices, wars, and earthquakes are nothing new." Neil shook his head. "Things are getting worse. I...

  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...

  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 Bright Tale A Story for young people, (+- 10-14) and the young at heart By Alison Lawrence Introduction Before commencing our tale, I would like to give you a short tour and overview of Brightston. I am sure that you would like to picture it as clearly as possible, and so, I will do my best to do it justice. It won’t be easy though, for Brightston is a very special place, as you shall see. First, we shall start at the centre of Brightston, which is a bit like travelling to Jerusalem if you were on our planet. Well, right at the centre of Brightston, is a city called the Golden City. It is so called for it is made of gold. Yet, dear reader, it is not the gold which brings illumination, although it does gleam wonderfully. No, it is the king of Brightston himself who radiates light throughout his kingdom. The king, who is very, very holy, and very, very good, has several beautiful names, but he is known everywhere in Brightston as simply the King of Truth, for this is the es...

  The Doily. Free Flash Fiction I selected the smallest crochet hook in my collection and observed it dubiously. It was as impossibly fine as the peacock blue crochet cotton in my hand. There was only one thing the cotton was good for: an old-fashioned doily. The kind that looks like a delicate and intricate spider's web. Impractical, yet fascinating.  I had a pattern. I had the right hook, and the right thread. But could I do it? My hands stiffened involuntarily at the thought of the cramping they would have to endure. All for a rather pointless item. Despite my doubts, I began. Somehow, several little rounds of chains and stitches formed between my fingers. The brilliant blue shone. My crochet hook flashed. I smiled. For the first time in days. And somehow, the delicate project became a symbol of fragile yet enduring hope. My faith and my joy seemed just as fragile as the thread between my fingers. Until I remembered how strong my hope really was: that no matter how dark thi...

  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...

  Un-Distracted Talulla gathered her supplies and allowed a wave of hopeful excitement to wash through her. "Lord, please help me. Please give me the words..." God had laid it on her heart to write this story. A story that could help someone. Now all she needed was time and space. She grinned as she tossed a cupboard key towards her room-mate, Prisca. Her nearly new smart phone was safely locked away inside it. "Remember, only give it to me when I've finished my first chapter." Talulla patted the dumb phone in her pocket. "You can get hold of me on my other number." As Talulla entered the venerable old library, the smell of both musty and of freshly printed books greeted her. She took a deep cleansing breath. In that moment, she felt as though she had all the time in the world. Her story was going to be written, and with God's help, no apps or notifications were going to get in her way. *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand *** Just imagine what you co...

  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...

  The Conversation  Gavin was so absorbed in his book, that he barely noticed that the train had stopped at a station. "Mind if I sit here?" He looked up. A young woman with friendly freckles across her nose and wide brown eyes stood in the aisle. He nodded, then smiled faintly and she quickly stowed her large backpack. "I'm Sybil." The young woman offered. "Thanks." "No problem. Travelling to Barton?"  "Nope. It's Dunmore I'm headed for. You?" "Same." Gavin was cautious. He wasn't sure he felt like a chatty companion. He'd been looking forward to finishing his book. It had hooked him from the first chapter. But thankfully, Sybil didn't bubble on. She just smiled before taking her own book out.  Gavin went back to his reading, not without noticing that it was a Bible that Sybil had opened. Unusual.   Sybil glanced towards him. She liked to study people, and would often strike up a conversation in the ho...

  Photo: Jussara Romão. Unsplash Salvation Song I woke up on that new, clear day and wondered what might be different. The previous evening had been a watershed moment in my relatively short life. I was sure that I'd turned the proverbial corner and couldn't wait to discover each sparkling discovery. My eyes widened.   He would be with me. I didn't know much, but I knew this. My energy levels were higher than they'd been in a long time. I got up, and quickly finished my morning routine. I could feel His presence; it was as though He was right beside me whilst I got myself, then my two little sleepyheads ready for the day. Morning Jesus. You see, just a few hours before, I had poured out my heart to Jesus, listed my horrible sins, and asked Him to forgive me; to save me. And He had! I was a new Alyssa now. The old Alyssa was gone. I laughed quietly to myself. Would anyone I knew even recognize me? Would Kyle. and Gabriel and Everlee? Would I even recognize myself? *** I ...