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

  Illustrated Inspirational Poems Dearest Readers, Here are a few poems from my poetry notebook. I hope you feel encouraged today. The world is so dark. Evil abounds. It is easy to feel discouraged and sad. How blessed we are to have Jesus! He is our joy. Do you know Him too? *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand Are you searching? Would you like to know more about Jesus? You may find my testimony helpful. (Just scroll down a little.) Testimony John 3:1-8, 10-21 ESV [1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] J...

  Dearest Readers, I hope you will find something to inspire and encourage you in this longer post. Enjoy! And may God bless you. As usual, I invite you to stay awhile and browse my bookshelves for more free reads.  See you next week, God willing. Love, Alison The Return As Donal put one weary, blistered foot in front of the other, he forced himself to remain alert to danger. He had yet to reach the border between the Broadlands and the Narrows. Donal scratched nervously at his ragged beard and scanned the field beside the road for food. He pounced on some grains which had been forgotten by the harvestors, then stuffed them into his sack quickly. He could see land men in the distance. They were a hot-tempered and mean-spirited folk. He knew this from experience, having been worked nearly to death by a land man for a bare handful of food a day. Donal forced his thin, run down body to move on. Only once he'd reached the shelter of a few boulders did he stop. Then, with his back ...

  A short story, plus more Field of Healing The grim memory resurfaced as Faye surveyed her back yard. Still photographs paraded through her mind: black and white, in keeping with the pathos of that day. In one, her mother was drawing up a plan of how she wanted things to be: perfect, neat, pristine, easily maintained. Boring. The next snap shot; an image of her mother directing her father. Her shrill voice accompanying the memory. "No, George, it must be chopped out. Otherwise it will just grow back again and make more work." And, "Yes, I want the grass gone too. I've called the garden services. It's going to cost more than I want to pay, but it will be worth it." The next scene brought the most pain. "But mommy, can't we keep it? Where will the butterflies and ladybirds live if you dig everything up?" Faye had hoped her mother would miss the wild patch of garden behind the shed. She'd always considered it to be hers: a little wonderland o...

  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...

  Inspirational flash fiction The Teddy Bear: Flash Fiction "It must be nice to be so loved." Ava stroked the cute bear Hunter had given me on Valentine's Day. I smiled gently. "It is." Instead of putting the bear back, Ava hugged it close. "I've often wondered what it feels like to be cherished." I heard the tremor in her voice, then, praying for wisdom, I touched her hand. "Do you remember how Mom would make us our favourite cake and meal each birthday? And how she'd somehow find the exact present we wanted?" Ava smiled. "Yes. She made me feel so loved. Somehow, I could feel Jesus' love for me in her smile; her actions." I sat beside her and cut us each a generous slice of chocolate cake. Mom's recipe. Sunlight bathed my kitchen in sweet memories and Jesus' love. "Happy birthday dear Ava, happy birthday to you!" *** Dearest Reader, Do you long for love? For a deep, abiding love? Well, that's the k...

  Free flash fiction The Rosebush: Flash Fiction "I thought you might like something that will last a little longer." He smiled his quirky smile, and her eyes travelled first to the drooping flowers on the table, then to the plant in his arms. "We can keep this one on the patio. Red for love, you know." He winked and planted a kiss on her surprised  mouth. They made planting the rose bush their Saturday afternoon project. "Somehow, it reminds me of marriage." She spoke softly as she patted the soil. "There are the hard bits, like these thorns, but then there is the beauty." He drew her close as they knelt by the planter, the roses on the small bush almost completely covering the thorns. *** Snuggling I'm nestling in Thy Hand through storm, and wind, and drought: While nestling in Thy Hand, I wake and look about: then seeing Thou art here, I snuggle deeper still, and in Thy endless care, I cast my doubt and fear *** Patience Like still, sweet,...

  Inspirational flash Fiction The Clock: Flash Fiction Only one piece had made it back to his apartment after the big clean up. His grandfather had moved on to his heavenly home; to Jesus, the Lord he'd served for many years. Logan had been assigned to the task of sorting through the elderly man's possesions. That one piece, was a small, ornate clock, which now stood on his desk. Logan noted that it seemed to be keeping time well, and now and again, his ears would tune in to its soft ticking as he worked at his computer. Its ticking dimmed into the background as his work day progressed, and later, as he banged a couple of pots and chopped an onion. But the ticking of the clock faded completely as he sat back to enjoy some videos and play his favourite game. Logan forgot about the small addition to his  home as his day wound down. Finally, he climbed into bed, ready for a good sleep.  It was then that the clock made its prescence felt: tick, tock, tick, tock. Logan changed...

  A happy ending! :) The Waiting Room. Episode Nine: Blessed Hope Jonah held Tara's hand in his as the two most important people in her life said 'I do.'  Their eyes locked, and he mouthed 'I love you.' Tears threatened her carefully applied make-up, but she didn't care. Thank You, Lord. You are so good. "I do." Robin gazed with open adoration at Grayson.  Grayson's face was alight with love and hope. Time was short. Jesus' return could be any day, but he intended to do things right as he waited. As he and Robin waited together for the Lord. *** As Jonah led Tara by the hand to the dance floor, the light caused the diamond on her engagement ring to sparkle. Jesus' joy bubbled up in her heart. I love You, Lord. Thank You. She laughed as Jonah twirled her around. No, they did not know what the future held, but they had Jesus, and the blessed hope of His return. *** Maranatha, Lord Jesus! Copyright: pencil in His Hand Ps: Thank you for reading...

  Free inspirational story The Waiting Room. Episode Eight: Tara's Testimony "I feel so happy. So light." Tara laughed as she sat across from her mom at the table. "But I should imagine everyone feels that way when they are saved. I feel brand new, you know? Like a load's been lifted from me." Robin nodded as tears blinded her vision. "I know, I know." She clasped Tara's hands in hers. "I'm so very happy for you." Tara squeezed her mother's hands. Her own eyes had grown watery. "Thank you Mom. For praying for me. And for never giving up." ***  "You win the lottery?" Katya asked as Tara stowed her bag in the staff room. "Or did Oliver bring that big grin to your face?" "Nope. Neither. It's Jesus. I belong to Him now." Tara's eyes sparkled even as Katya's face darkened.  "Well don't you try converting me, and remember it's against the law to share your faith at wor...