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

  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...

  Extra posts this week:) Another "Thoughts" post tomorrow, and a mini inspirational story on Friday. Joy vs Happiness "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice." Philippians 4:4 *** Dear Reader, Are you happy today? Perhaps you've just been shopping. Your bank account is looking good, and you went for a cruise to the mall and spoilt yourself with a new outfit, some cute decor for your house and garden, and some luxuries from the supermarket. And it made you happy. Even better, it was a splendid, cloudless, morning and the countryside where you live looked like something from a dream destination on You Tube. Bliss. You were definitely happy as you enjoyed the carefree morning and your bargains. But may I ask, just how long did the happiness last? An hour? Maybe two? Or, perhaps if everything kept going your way, the whole day? Now, before you think I'm bashing happiness, I'm not. I've had my fair share of golden sunshine days and satisfyin...

  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...

  What is Really Important? Are you ready for Jesus' return? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV [13] But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words. https://bible.com/bible/59/1th.4.13-18.ESV Philippians 1...

  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...

  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...

The cone flower blooms in winter A Peek into my Garden and some Thoughts Dearest Reader, How about you? Do you bloom in the midst of winter like the cone flower? Are you full of sunshine when your day is gray? It's not easy, and I would actually like to say, near impossible without Jesus living in your heart. It is the Holy Sprit who enables us to bloom in the hardest, driest, coldest places. You see, the cone flower, does bloom in winter, but it has been soaking in the sun all summer long, drinking in all the water it can, and basking in what winter sun God provides. So, it is able to bloom despite the cold.  When you come up close to the cone flowers, you will hear the buzzing of bees. This hardy plant is a favourite with the little creatures as they search for pollen in the garden. Are you attractive like the cone flower? No, not in your outward appearance, but inwardly. Do God's love, light, and grace shine outwardly from within attracting people to Him? We can all shine an...

  Fishing boat at the river Writing for the Lord ‭Colossians 3:23-24 ESV‬ [23] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  https://bible.com/bible/59/col.3.23-24.ESV Dearest Readers, This post will contain my thoughts on writing, but this really applies to all we do. :) When I first started writing more seriously, I believe my heart was right. I truly wanted to encourage people and to share the Gospel through my writing. With much help from God, I wrote my heart out. I wrote with passion. For Him. There was really no thought of financial success. I did imagine possibly receiving a few donations, but that was all. I made the books available for free, but wasn't able to reach many people. After a while, I stopped writing. I was busy. It wasn't too long though, before I picked up my pen once more to write poetry, and later, short stories. At that...

  Books💖 The Messy Bookshelf Not long after waking up this morning, a random thought popped into my head that I really ought to tidy up the blog a bit. I'm pretty happy with my cozy blog. I try to make it a comfortable reading nook for all who stop by. Yet I began to wonder whether it had become a bit messy.  I have to admit that a couple of my pages. or should I call them shelves? are rather muddled. Free books are mixed in with books to buy, and there are links to two other bookshelf blogs, random photos, and mini stories. So the thought crossed my mind that I should do some spring cleaning. It would take time and hard work, but the blog would look all neat and tidy afterwards. But then I realized, doing so might make it a little less cozy and a little less real. The way I see it, is that the blog is rather like a box or shelf of books that one rummages around in until you find something you like. I love going to the library. Our one has a box of free books near the do...

  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 ...