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

  A Couple Of Changes Dear Readers, Please note that from now on, stories and chatty blogs will be posted here, while poetry will be posted on A Basket Of Hope. Link   I have brought the short stories that were posted there over to Pencil In His Hand. Perhaps you will find some extra weekend reading. :) Much love, Alison

    The First Stone A short story By Alison Lawrence "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32 (KJV) "That's a wrap! You're on fire Allegra. Your voice is amazing." "Thanks Logan. "It's because I've got such a brilliant team." Allegra's eyes sparkled as she surveyed her world: the band, the sound system and the stage. Tomorrow she was going to sing for her fans, and she was ready. She and Gabriel Harrison, the tenor who had stolen everyone's hearts would be doing a duet together. Logan had admitted to feeling jealous of the way their voices harmonized.  "See you tomorrow, for our last practice." Allegra waved goodbye to the team. "Remember to rest your voice tonight angel," Logan reminded her. Everyone knew that he was crazy about Allegra, but he didn't mind. She was his angel, with her shiny blonde hair, blue eyes, and sweetness. That she'd agreed to go out with him, w...

    A Poem for Ella A Short Story By Alison Lawrence Ella read through the poem she'd just penned. It worked; she thought. In fact, it expressed her current take on life pretty well. She closed her notebook and gazed out across the flower dotted field. How happy she was, living in her tiny home in what was virtually the countryside. The road to this little piece of tranquility had been hard and draining; but now she was at peace. She had bad days of course: days filled with sorrow and regret and loneliness, but Ella didn't stay there. Introverted and quiet, she preferred her own company, and drawing and writing kept her busy. Her sorrow had helped her draw close to God, and she was going to trust Him with her future. *** Jack forked some hay over the fence into the goat pen, whistling a tune as he worked. He stopped for a while to watch their antics. "Slow down ladies, it's not going anywhere." He chuckled to himself. His goats and his hens were the only ladies in...

    The Diagnosis A Short Story By Alison Lawrence "Busy today, isn't it?" Said Janie as she took a seat next to Brent. A nurse called a number, and Janie looked down at Brent's. They had a long way to go. Brent took his phone out, and opened a game. "Got to keep my fingers busy." He smiled his boyish grin, and Janie felt a sudden urge to tuck a stray blonde curls behind his ear. "I might just finish my library book. At any rate, I'm prepared for a wait." Janie gestured at her bag. "Sure hope the wait is worth it. Maybe I will finally get some answers." Said Brent. Janie nodded."I hope so too, for your sake. I know how much you struggle sometimes." She twisted her long, brown ponytail, and Brent looked up from his phone for a minute and smiled. "Not just for my sake, Janie, for yours too." Janie reached over, and touched his hand, then settled in for the wait. The doctor that Brent was scheduled to see, was known f...

  Romantic Moments "I just don't know don't know if I can take it anymore, Mom. Did you have the same trouble with Dad?" "In the beginning. But after a while, I learnt to accept Dad as he was, Lyddie, and that no amount of nagging would change him." Lyddie pulled a face. Mom would say something like that. "But he did change." "Yes, but that was God's doing. I can't take any credit for it. I prayed of course; and kept on loving him and helping him. God did the rest." "Well, I sure hope that Tim comes right soon." They chatted for a little longer, then Lyddie ended the call when baby Zara woke from her nap. She couldn't help smiling as she cuddled the chubby infant. Zara was such a bright spot in her day. If only Tim would be the husband she needed. She thought over her mother's words. Her parents marriage was good and strong now, but things had been pretty tough in the early years. Lyddie's Dad had been a drin...

    (This story was written primarily as a world building exercise. Islamondo, A Poetic Fantasy, was created using this story as a basis.) Read it  here: Islamondo: The Island World. A Short Story In Seven Parts By Alison Lawrence Part One: Unos. It was a hard climb to the top of Mount Una, but the two strong, young men barely broke a sweat on their upward journey. Once at the top, Venturer put down his pack and just stared. His grin was as wide as the valley below and he could not contain his joy as he let out a whoop. His friend, Emir clapped him on the back and laughed. "This view has stolen your tongue hasn't it? All you can do is holler. It's a wondrous creation, isn't it?" "Words truly fail." Venturer agreed. *** The people of Unos were called Adventurers. They were strong and fit with brown complexions, suited to their adventurous life. When an Adventurer became twenty, he or she would embark on a sea-faring adventure, either alone or in pairs. Ve...

  Rosie's Prayer. Inspirational Flash Fiction. Free Christian Story. There was definitely no money for shoes: Rosie knew that with an absolute certainty. But as she glanced down at the two little pairs of worn out sandals, she was also certain of something else: the shoes wouldn't last much longer. Benny's toes were already creeping over the front of his, and Jacob's were nearly worn out. Rosie sighed as she glanced around the simple room. Fortunately, the boys school shoes were still holding out, but they couldn't wear those all the time. No. They must make their school shoes last. As she sat on the battered sofa, she could almost hear the happy sounds the apartment often rang with. Her sweet boys. There was only one thing to do. Rosie closed her eyes. "Dear Lord, You said that we do not get because we do not ask. Well, I'm asking now." *** On Sunday morning, Benny and Jacob dressed in their neatest clothes and put their old sandals on. "Do I hav...