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

    Forever Hope A Collection of Short and Mini Stories Volume 2 Copyright: Alison Lawrence 2023. All rights reserved. A Meeting With Hope Joseph boarded his city bound train with moments to spare. He took his usual spot in the usual carriage. The trees and buildings looked gray and dreary as they began moving past the window. Joseph glanced at his fellow passengers. There was a dreary resignedness about them too. Just one commuter caught his attention: a young woman he’d seen before. She seemed to favour bright colours and stood out in a sea of neutrals, gray and black, but it was her face that caught Joseph’s attention. It glowed. As he watched, he noticed that she smiled a lot, and he wondered curiously whether she was in love. He supposed that love could do that: transform someone; even alter their appearance. As for himself, he’d never experienced anything like that: none of the women he’d dated had had any such effect on him; and neither did anything or anyone else in hi...

  If God Is Enough, Do You Need All That Stuff? Inspiration For Simple Living By Alison Lawrence Photographs and drawing by the author Copyright: Alison Lawrence. All rights reserved. Scripture from the Authorized King James Version. Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible are vested in the Crown. Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible are administered in the United Kingdom by the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press. Introduction The Bible is clear: you don’t need all that stuff! That doesn’t sit too well with us though. We may nod our heads as we read the verses, but when it comes to our stuff and to the way we live our lives, we’re rather clingy. Realistically speaking, it can be very hard to let go; to not worry; to stress less. Our brains struggle to find a more relaxed tempo and we balk at the idea of living simply, fearing that we’ll get stuck in boredom. Mac n Cheese every night anyone? Fears and brain wiring aside though, it c...

    Inspiration for Moms Scriptures, Prayers and Thoughts By Alison Lawrence  Illustrations by the author. Copyright: Alison Lawrence. 2023. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotes from the Authorized King James Version. Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible are vested in the Crown. Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible are administered in the United Kingdom by the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press. Introduction It's tough being a Mom! (Mom of six speaking here!) We need all the encouragement we can get, whether we have one, two, three or more children. The challenges begin at pregnancy and never end. As Moms we never stop loving and praying for our children. Along with the tough moments, we also experience many joys, and that is what makes motherhood worthwhile. Here are some of my favorite Scriptures for Moms and women along with prayers and thoughts for each. Chapter One Luke 9:48 “Whosoever shall receive this chil...

    A World Beyond. A Free Inspirational Short Story By Alison Lawrence Copyright: Alison Lawrence 2023 All rights reserved "I just can't do it anymore, Hope. This thing is bigger than either of us can handle." Dylan turned away from his wife and looked out of the window. "It's destroyed us, and what we had together." "So, you just want to give up? Walk out on us; leave me to deal with everything?" Hope's anger grew as the terrible reality gripped her heart. Dylan was giving up. "You'll be OK, Hope. I'm just an outsider. You're always busy with Jace. You lost interest in me a long time ago." Hope forced herself to stay calm. She'd dealt with a lot of melt downs over the years. Dylan would come to his senses if she said the right things. "I know it's been hard on both of us. But I am still interested in you Dylan. I love you. Please don't leave." She crossed over to the window and placed a hand on his ...

    Lily's Journey. A Free Inspirational Short Story LILY'S JOURNEY By Alison Lawrence Copyright: Alison Lawrence. 2023.All rights reserved The sun glimmered gold in the eucalyptus trees surrounding the old farmhouse. A gentle breeze made the shimmering leaves sparkle against the evening sky. Lily was on her way to feed her chickens and close them up for the night, but she paused for a moment, grateful for the feel of the cool breeze on her face. What was it about eucalyptus trees? They seemed to stir a certain nostalgia in her soul: a longing perhaps. Telling herself off for daydreaming, she returned to the task at hand. Her chickens were healthy and laying well. They brought in a side income, but Lily would have kept them even if they hadn't. The farm wasn't the largest on the West Coast, but it was perfect for them. Caleb's parents had retired from farming leaving the family farm to Caleb and his young bride. They now lived happily in a small coastal town. Lily s...

    Haiku of Hope and Heaven. A Free Encouraging Poetry Book Copyright Copyright: Alison Lawrence 2023. "Haiku of Hope and Heaven" is the intellectual property of Alison Lawrence. Cover photo credit: Thomas Despeyroux. Unsplash Dedication To my sister, Venetia Sweatman. Thanks for always being there for me. "Though wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy;  At Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16: 11 (KJV) Contents Haiku of Hope and Heaven Copyright Dedication Contents Leaning Gardening Late Lambs Simple Looking Forward All Refuge Love Land Jesus Joy True Wealth Sparrow Building Up Lighthouse Call On Him All I Need Leaning When my heart is full of troubles, aches and trials I lean more on You Gardening I didn't know then: when I put the seeds to bed birds would flit and feast Late Lambs I had two late lambs doctor gave solemn warning but God knit them well Simple My life is simple no awards hang on the wall but I am ...

    Deeply Loved. A Free Inspirational Poetry Collection Copyright: Alison Lawrence.All rights reserved.  Deeply Loved I am Jonah in the belly of deep,deep pain I try to see, but all is black. Maybe I am dying. Perhaps just now I will see the light hidden and surrounded with no way out all I feel is this pain hurting, hurting, hurting with every slow beat. Dear Lord, where are You? Could You come near this dark dank despair? Curled up tight, I cry "Father" just once but it is enough: He holds me now and we weep together. Earthquakes. Lord, we are shaken, even here we are shaken as we pray for poor souls trapped - Oh, Lord - the words won't come. We don't need pictures  to imagine the horror and many say: why, why, why? I don't know, I don't know. I just know that they, that we, are badly shaken. Here in 2023, nothing is sure anymore shifting, shifting is the landscape how can we endure? How can they endure? For nothing is stable anymore. This I know; I know th...