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

  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...

  Millie's Project Fran sighed with contentment as she pulled another tray of golden brown, caramel scented cookies from the oven. This one was for Millie next door, who was down with a bad cold. Hopefully, she'd still be able to taste the delicious treat. Fran's home was as old fashioned as her name: the kitchen cabinets dated back to the 1980's, and mint and pink coloured appliances vied for attention amongst knick knacks and bright coloured tins. As for the rest of the house, Fran favoured anything Amish or country, with a little Victorian thrown in. However Harold and the boys might feel about her decorating tastes never entered Fran's mind. It made her happy, and as the old saying goes, 'ain't nobody happy unless Mama's happy.' Fran swished a hand knitted dishcloth over the counter before arranging some homemade treats on a rose festooned plate for Millie. There! That should cheer her neighbour up. *** She found Millie propped up in bed, a box o...

  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...

  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 ...

  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! :)

  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...

  New book! Angelica's Journey Dearest Readers, Happy Monday:) I'm happy to bring you the third book in what I refer to as my "Adama and Perpetua" series.  I didn't initially think that I would write a third book, but there was a third story after all. You will see that we jump forward a few years in this story, but I wont tell you more than that so as not to spoil it for you. In case you have not read the previous books in the series, here they are: 1.  "The Searching" 2.  " The Yearning" *** Please share the series with friends and family if you enjoy it. *** Dedication: To Retha *** Angelica's Journey The Sequel to “The Yearning.” By Alison Lawrence Copyright: Alison Lawrence Note: “Angelica's Journey” is a work of fiction with a message. Chapter One Angelica positioned the bucket of the tractor under a large boulder. The tractor bounced a little as the burden filled the bucket. The young woman driving the tractor easily reversed th...