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

  God's Love "Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises, for God is my Defense, my Fortress and High Tower, The God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love." Psalm 59: 17. (AMP) *** Thank You Lord for loving me. I need to stop and think of this: That You love me! Perhaps because I  am a sinner unworthy; I struggle to comprehend. Now, in Your Word from start to end, I know that it is true. *** A.S.L

  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...

  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.)  💕🙏🩷

  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 ...

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...

  Why Do We "Make A Home?" Titus 2:3-5 ESV [3] Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, [4] and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.  https://bible.com/bible/59/tit.2.3-5.ESV Dearest Reader, Why, I wonder, do we make a home, besides the obvious reasons? Is it to have fun with hobbies and decorating? To show off its beauty and tasteful decor? Or, perhaps, more nobly, to provide a space where learning and rest and relaxation can take place?  Why do we homemakers dust and tidy, cook and bake, de-clutter and scrub? Why do we show up day after day to help, train, and feed? What importance does having an inviting home have? Well, I should think that the most important reason is given to us here in Titus. When we as women take up our noble ...

  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 ...

  You Have Today Dearest Reader, You have today. Yes, I realize that it doesn't sound like much. We have lost all of our yesterdays. They may live on in our hearts and in our memories, but they are gone. And it is sad. As for our tomorrows, they may still  be around the corner, but there are no guarantees that they will be ours. But. We have today. That is all. And it is good, and it is enough for now. Now that you and I have reminded ourselves of this, we must ask, what will we do with this gift that we've been given. (By the way, I could get a bit pedantic here and rather say that all we have is this moment , but I do rather like the idea of having a whole day.) This day may be a chance to pray for a loved one who is ill, or far away. You may choose to use this time to start a garden, or to knit a jersey for a little one in need. Or maybe you will visit an elderly aunt, or take a meal to a new mom. Today may also be a good day to ask for someone's forgiveness. To say that...

  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. ...

  Photo: William Krause. Unsplash Thoughts on Surrender Sometimes, I wonder what it means to surrender to Jesus fully. I mean, I was born again quite a few years ago. I gave Him my heart, and my life. I definitely chose to follow Him. But I can see that slowly but surely in mine, as well as in the lives of all Christians, the self starts to crawl back towards the heart's throne, until eventually, he or she is sitting pretty once more. Of course, you are still saved, but Jesus is now off to one side, whilst you are in the driving seat. Until you and I get off that throne and hand over the crown as well as the keys over to Jesus, we are doomed to a life of failure. When we surrender, we give up our "rights." Our "right" to sleep in, our "right" to another slice of cake, our "right" to read a novel instead of God's Word, our "right" to be entertained, our "right" to be comfortable, our "right" to get even, or to...

  Use All You Have For God's Kingdom And Glory If you are a Christian writer, write! If you are a Christian artist, create! If you are a Christian homemaker, keep your home for Christ! Whatever you are, whatever you do, do all for the Lord, as He has taught us: not for the world, but for Him. These are unprecedented times we are living in. Our world is flooded with content from the pens, paint brushes, and hands of the ungodly. Much of this content does nothing but pollute and blacken the atmosphere.  Hatred, war, anti-semitism, violence, immorality, crime, and obsessive pleasure seeking are everywhere. As the minority, we often feel impotent and weak. What can we do to make things better, and to bring light into the darkness? Well, I would advise and encourage each Christian to simply make sure that their lamp is lit. Your lamp may be small, but it can be clean and filled with oil. So, keep shining Christian! Don't give up! Keep writing, drawing, creating, working. And most i...

  Johannes Plenio. Unsplash Remembering I remembered today to look Your way, to pray. In the middle of everything. I remembered today  in the midst of chaos, pain, despair You do care and You are in my heart. I remembered today  here where it hurts, that Lord, You promised to fetch us and to take us away... *** pencil in His Hand

  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Robert Bagramov. Unsplash Dearest Readers,  I just want to keep it really simple today. I want to encourage you in these dark days with joyful thoughts of what lies ahead for each blood bought child of God. It is a command, not a suggestion that we do this. For the Lord has promised to fetch us; to hide us whilst He pours His wrath out upon the earth. No, we are not destined for wrath.  As believers, we experience much tribulation here on earth, but The Great Tribulation is reserved for the unrighteous. I have referred before to a dream I had many years ago, in which I was walking along in much anxiety whilst carrying a heavy load of books. These all tumbled to the ground as I was lifted up to meet my Lord:  Jesus, whom I confess to be my Lord and Saviour. Today, let us all remember that time is short. Like the Israelites when they were about to leave Egypt, we need to be ready, having forsaken all earthly ties. If you are not saved, read th...

  Some of the children's art Laying Our Lives Down We've been busy this week with a holiday Bible school. For five days, the Gospel was shared, songs were sung, great fun was had, and hands were kept busy with crafts. My craft group consisted of grade two and three girls. A very sweet bunch! Our Pastor shared the Word around the theme of God's love, and the children were also fed with teatime sandwiches, cool drink, and lunch. It is lot's of fun, but also tiring and very hard work. Not to mention noisy and challenging at times. You can't have 130 children in one place without some nonsense! I have to admit, that I did grumble a little. The washing was mounting at home and my feet were getting sore. Yet, we all soldiered on with a smile. This was not our work. No, it is all done for the Lord. The children must have a chance to hear that God loves them and wants to forgive and save them. This morning, Matthew 16:24 came up on my phone. I include the verses which follo...

  Splashes of Spring Some garden joy. 😊🌼🌸🌻💕🙏   If I were to choose captions for these photos, I would probably write "joy" beneath each one. You probably recognize these rather common garden plants. None of them are perfect: no doubt, some may have holes in their leaves, and a hungry caterpillar lurking upon them. But none of that matters. The bugs have their part to play too.  What really strikes me as I walk around my Spring garden, is the exuberance; the abundance; the joy. Yes, God is most certainly in the garden. We see Him in the intricate, delicate designs of the flowers and in the industrious creatures. And yes, God is with each believer as we go about our work, or simply sit on a bench to enjoy His company and His Creation. *** Garlands of bright sunshine decorate my gate: Gentle, happy faces, His love now radiate *** 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 

  Monday Medley: Two Stories, A Poem, And More Two Stories, plus a  poem and some thoughts and photos in this longer post Dear Readers, I thought it might be a nice idea to go back to posting several short items in one post. Hopefully every reader will find something that speaks to them.  This week, I am posting a flash fiction piece which was written to encourage folks to think about their eternal destiny. We are living in such troubled times, and I can't shake the feeling that the Lord's return is very near. Please take a moment to ask some very big questions today. My own spiritual journey began when I woke up out of the stupor I was in and began to ask questions like "Is there a God?" And "Where will I go when I die?" There is nothing worse than to go through life in a haze, numbly entertaining and scrolling oneself towards the grave. The enemy of our souls just loves it when we live like this. I pray that we will all take life and eternity a lot more se...