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

  Cynthia's Confessions A Novelette By Alison Lawrence *** Copyright owner:  Alison Lawrence 2023 Cynthia's Confessions is a fictional work and no resemblance to real people, living or dead is intended. Bible Quotation from: Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers Cover photo by: Debby Hudson. Unsplash. *** Dedication: To my aunts. *** Prologue 1938. Wynberg, Cape Town A brilliantly coloured chameleon swayed as he clung to the grapevine which grew in the untidy garden. A bed of tall hollyhocks and asters also vied for Cynthia's attention as she sat writing in the shade of the vine. The slender, dark-haired ten year old wrote conscientiously in the cheap exercise book which served as a diary. She wasn't afraid of the chameleon and decided to do a quick sketch of him once she'd finished writing. Quiet moments like these were a rare treat for Cynthia. Her mother had taken the other six children up the road to visit her sister. Cynthia had...

  The Shepherd's Love. A Short Love Story By Alison Lawrence *** “ Alef, it is too dangerous! You will do this for one sheep? What of the others? Something could happen to them whilst you are gone, and what will we do then?” Alef's gaze remained soft as he turned to his young wife. “All will be well, Zena. Papa will help keep watch over the flock. This little one is expecting, and it would be cruel not to go. The wolves will tear her apart if I don't find her quickly.” Zena fought both rage and tears as she rose from the rough table. Surely she meant more to Alef than a simple sheep!  As she carried the bowls towards the stone basin, she felt Alef's arms encircle her. “I love you, Zena. I will be back soon. I promise.” But Zena stiffened her back and stifled her usual loving response. Alef sighed and let her go. He'd seen the tears glimmering in her deep brown eyes, and he hated to leave. But he must. It was a shepherd's duty. The fondness he felt for his sheep ...

  Psalm 144:2 ESV [2] he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.144.2.ESV Eternal Tower Surviving still the Scottish tower's crumbling walls still stand, and tourists marvel at the sight on ancient rain-drenched land. But the Keep I call my own Is a Refuge strong and safe; and never shall He crumble for His blood defends the gates. *** pencil in His Hand. ***

  Psalm 123:2 ESV [2] Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us. https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.123.2.ESV *** Above Instead of looking to the world: The constant stream of news and memes; Look instead to God, our Lord: Enthroned above: To His Pure Word. *** A.S.L ***

  Opal's Quest You need to get out of the city, Opal. Find a good man. Find love. True love. " Her grandmother's grip on her wrist was surprisingly strong. "Perhaps you will find them in a small country town. Promise me you'll leave once I'm gone." A gunshot and a strangled scream reached them from the streets. The double glazed glass of the hospital windows only muffled the sound slightly. Opal shuddered, but she kept her gaze on the slight, beloved woman on the bed. "Don't talk like that Granny. I'm staying right here until they say you can go home. Maybe when you're stronger, we can move to the country together; start over. You could even keep those chickens you always wanted." Opal's smile wobbled. It was a frail attempt to lighten the atmosphere.  "Sweetie, you'll have to do that for me when you get out of here. Even if I did make it back home, I wouldn't be strong enough to travel. My lungs are giving out. The...

  Three Inspirational Poems Pit In the darkest pit of grief, despair where hope has died God finds you there. So cry out to the Saving One, whose love-stained cross light's victory won *** Psalm 107:28 "Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses." *** Victory When the battle rages our hearts melt to our toes: But God our only Helper defeats all deadly foes. *** Psalm 108:12,13 "Give us help against the adversary, for vain is the help of man. Through and with God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries." *** A Joyful Mother (This is what I want to always be.) A joyful mother  sings a song though days are hard and nights  are long. A joyful mother has no fear  for through the pain her Lord is near. *** Psalm 113:9 "A joyful mother." *** With love and prayers. All Scripture, Amplified Version. *** Poems copyright: Alison Lawrence. *** Ps. Here is the link to my testimony if you w...

Battle Evil swarmed and swooped thickly throughout the valley. Jonathan's sword slashed to the left and right. Sometimes, it arched through the air above his head, as infuriated hisses and screeches filled the darkness. To Jonathan's left and right, inky blackness was being pushed back by his companions. Stretched across the valley, they marched on, their swords slashing and crashing through the thick air, and bringing limp scaly bodies to the ground. The bright ones could not stop. Victory was not theirs yet, for the evil hordes kept coming. There were more than ever before it seemed, here at the closing of the ages. Jonathan grimaced as a foul creature landed close beside him. It screeched and bared its fangs in final rebellion. But Jonathan kept on. Supernatural strength coursed through his body, as more warriors joined the battle. They were nearing the far side of the valley now. The atmosphere remained black and grim: the battle was far from over. Jonathan's sword coul...

  *** A GERMAN GRANDMOTHER Frieda Brand drove carefully along the rutted farm road leading up to her parents' farm.She soaked in the view. It had been a while since she'd visited.The cherry trees were in bloom and they formed a fairy tale avenue of candyfloss.Even Willem and Karl, Frieda's little boys were quiet as they gazed out of the windows.The bowl of mountains welcomed them to the fruitful Ceres farm. "Welkom, welkom," Frieda's mother Ida greeted them from the spacious and cool veranda. She still spoke with a German accent after all these years. The little ones were out of the car in a flash. Frieda retrieved their bags and followed. The boys had disappeared already, but she knew where they'd be. Sure enough, Willem and Karl were seated at the generous kitchen table, a cookie in each hand. "So, you have come at a good time," Ida announced as she bustled around, putting the kettle on and arranging more goodies on a plate. "This time of ...

   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...