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

  Photo: Joshua J. Cotten The Bird Feeder Penny watched in fascination as the eager birds descended upon Aunt Tina's bird feeder. The elderly woman had just placed seed in it. Penny moved closer to the kitchen window, not wanting to miss a moment. The male weaver birds with their bright yellow breasts were the boldest. Their soft, brown mates followed their lead, and a flock of sweet sparrows pecked at the fallen bounty on the ground below. Penny smiled a little sadly. How hungry the birds seemed as they darted about and swung on the bird feeder. Still, she doubted that they could be as hungry as she was. Inside, she felt as hollow as the old log in Aunt Tina's rockery. Empty. Alone. Painfully alone since Jeremy had walked out on everything they'd built together over a span of twenty years. Now, she was hungry for hope and for answers. Her whys still echoed three years after he'd closed the door on all she'd held dear. Aunt Tina's kind voice interrupted her tire...

  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...

  Salvation Stories: Heather Heather loved nothing more than to pull her old gumboots on, don her floppy hat, and head out to the garden. She'd always preferred being outdoors as a child, and now, although in her fifties, she still felt the need to get out of the house at least twice a day. As she tugged her dilapidated straw hat over her graying curls, the sun was just kissing the tops of the fruit trees. Heavenly! Not that Heather believed in Heaven or in God for that matter. Her faith was in science; in the theory of evolution, and in the resourcefulness of man. Yet, recently, her thinking had begun to shift, albeit very slowly and haltingly. The more she worked in her garden, the more she had doubts. Just yesterday, she had happened across a new butterfly in one of her flower beds, its wings delicately opened in the sunshine, displayed an intricate and charming pattern. Heather recognized the work of an artist in those amazing wings. That morning, she'd made an even more st...

  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 ...

  Photo: Aaron Burden. Unsplash How Can I Become A Christian? Dearest Reader, I am very glad that you are asking this question. And If you are not, I pray that you will. I will, with God's help do my best to answer it. Becoming a Christian, or as I like to say, a Jesus' follower, is not about joining a religion, or becoming a religious person. No, it is all about relationship, about becoming a member of God's family. No one can force their way into God's family or into Heaven. Many have tried to do this by observing the Law or by doing good works. But as Romans 3:23 tells us, we have all sinned. No one is good. We are all sinners in need of a Saviour. Now for the Good News!  Jesus is God. And He is good. He offers us the free gift of salvation. He achieved this by taking on human flesh, and dying on the cross. It was there, during that agonizing death that He took all of our sin on Himself. His blood was shed at the cross as a payment for our sin. Basically, Jesus took ...

  Mom with V in V's memory corner Dearest Lord, Here I am again Lord. Thank You for always listening and caring for me. I am so aware today of your constant presence within me. I am never alone, never abandoned, never unheard. Whether I write my prayers down, or whether I say them out loud or breathe them within, You take time to listen. Thank You. I love You. Thank You for saving me; for dying for me; for all of us, on the cross. As You know, Mom has been very much on our minds these past days, it having been her very special birthday on the 29th of February. V and I love to put little mementoes and flowers on that day. Will You please tell her we love her? I was thinking about the cats today. I remember how the three of them would sit in a half circle in front of the oven waiting for Mom's famous scones to come out. They would get a little taste. I'm sure that V remembers the cozy scene too. And of coming home from school to a pot of tea and scones or something else. The ...

  1. Shrouded Shrouded in darkness as empty as that bottle blind you stumble on 2. Glimmer I almost walk past but a light flickers softly deep down in your soul 3. Searching Your heart is searching hoping, aching, for a way out of dark to light 4. Tears Your tears, your yearning reach up to high heaven and God hears your cry 5. Drawing And drawing you near, God's holy precious Spirit to His voice so dear 6. Ready Your heart grows ready as His Word and servants help a light starts to glow 7. Saved Now the day has come repentant, softly weeping you run to the Son 💜🩷🙏🤗💙😘 Hope you have a very blessed and Jesus filled week. Love and prayers, Alison