Thank you, Mrs. Lowry by Michelle Joy Teigrob

 

My first book came out when I was 12 years old, thanks to my Grade 8 English teacher, Mrs. Lowry, who chose to notice and respond to two needy students in her class.

My twin, Maria, and I had recently immigrated to Canada. The experience of culture shock entwined with pre-teen hormones meant we had entered the most excruciating time of our lives yet. We were probably the most painfully shy, awkward, freckle-faced girls our teacher had ever met.

Overwhelmed, resentful, flailing to find a place to belong, we turned to the greatest solace of our lives at the time – books. Maria and I read obsessively in those years. Anne of Green Gables was a lifeline. I honestly can’t imagine how we would have coped during that period of emotional upheaval without the ability to read.

(I teach new immigrants to read now, people who never learned what letters mean, even in their first language. Perhaps my junior high experience is part of the reason I am so passionate about this work.)

With her bright red lipstick, dangling gold earrings, and heels, Mrs. Lowry was unlike any of the teachers we’d experienced in our small, rural school in Belize. She laughed and spoke loudly, enjoyed the Cats musical immensely, and planned to move west shortly to be with her second husband after a failed first marriage.

Mrs. Lowry gave us a writing project – a story birthed from our own imaginations. All the Grade 8 students would have been required to complete it, of course. Breathlessly inspired by our Lucy Maud Montgomery books consumption, my twin and I took to the task as if we had been asked to save the world.

Intoxicated by the joy of creation, we planned and wrote and planned some more with possibly greater intensity than our heroine author ever did. We did so for our own sakes, not with the goal of getting the highest grade or becoming world-famous, but because we came alive as we wrote.

Mrs. Lowry decided our stories – both mine and my twin’s – needed to be published. Perhaps the tales showed some flair, though both of us cringed later to reread them. My twin even went so far as to destroy her copy some years afterward, she was so embarrassed by it. Certainly, the stories weren’t good enough to warrant the extra cost and work to get them typed up and hard-bound.

At the time, however, we were overjoyed. Our stories would be published! The winner of a lottery could not be as happy as we were on learning this news. I felt as though my bliss lifted me above the ground for weeks. My culture shock and pre-teen hormonal troubles shrank to almost nothing during that period.

I firmly believe this is why Mrs. Lowry decided to put in the extra work and cost to publish our stories – she noticed the struggle of two new students, and she decided to do what she could to bring just a bit more joy into their lives.

Thank you and bless you, Mrs. Lowry. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Michelle Joy Teigrob is an author, college instructor, mom of three, and wife of one. She grew up as a missionary kid in Belize, Central America, the youngest of 10 children. In addition to her twin’s death, she has since lived through the loss of two other sisters. Michelle is launching a blog on her journey through her wrenching sadness. Visit www.michellejoybooks.ca to learn more.

With Joyful Hearts by Peggianne Wright

When the Advent Season approaches every year, there's a certain feeling or emotion that begins to well up inside me and I begin to feel like my heart will burst from my chest. The same goes when I read a verse in the book of Luke; Chapter 10, verse 27. And because of that, there's a longing to share this feeling with all those around me. So, in 2024, one late autumn day, I sat at my computer, I thought about the time left on the calendar before Christmas and my first published book, With Joyful Hearts, was born.

Earlier in 2024, I produced—entirely in-house—a Lenten reading plan and study guide. It was developed from a Bible study my friend from Arizona and I had done together via Zoom during Covid. Relatively successful, I had unknowingly laid the groundwork for my introduction as an author in the world of self-publishing including two Advent devotionals (with two more planned in the series of four), an updated and expanded version of the "homemade" Lenten devotional, and two K9 related books that had been in the works for many years.

I confess that I struggle with imposter's syndrome; especially when I hear someone say, "Oh, you're self-published." The funny thing is, I've never approached a book project with the focus on sales or perceived success. My love for writing and teaching and inspiring is the root and foundation for all the books, devotional pieces, and stories I've written. God blessed me with a creative eye, a desire to do these things, and the gift to string words together in a meaningful way. Success to me is holding a real book in my hand and knowing it is my work. Success to me is a message from that one person to say my words were meaningful to them in some small way.

Each book I have written has taught me something new about myself both as a writer and a human. The technical skills I gain with each project help me to elevate and improve on the next. But, the lessons I experience in patience, grace, and humility benefit me in all aspects of life. The frustrating technical issues, the compliments from a reader, and the joy of seeing the overwhelming success of a fellow writer all help me learn and grow.

I have been further blessed to receive invitations from my church seniors’ fellowship to speak about my books and share the messages I’ve written.

As I continue to work on the many writing projects I have planned, I do so, not in pursuit of fame and fortune; if God intends that for me someday, then okay. But, in the meantime, I write books and devotionals to provide encouragement and enjoyment to the few who read them.

So, as the calendar turns to July, my thoughts turn to Advent—yes, Christmas in July—and I will begin work on the third book in my Luke 10 Advent Series. With Ardent Strength: Experiencing the Blessings of Advent will become my focus over the next while, pouring my heart and soul into its every page. And when the calendar pages fall away, the feeling of Advent will once again fill me and, I hope, you too, With Joyful Hearts.

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'" (Luke 10:27 NIV)

Peggianne Wright is a published author and is the founder of the pet parent ministry Paws To Pray, blending her passion for the Lord and all-things-K9 to form this unique, faith-based community. Peggianne is an ardent Bible study student, devoted dog mom, wife of 44 years, and lover of music. Her blogs Spiritual Scribbles and Fur-Kid Fanatics can be found on her website www.PawsToPray.ca and you can follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsToPray/ and on IG @Sister_In_Prayer.

A Labour of Love by Bob Jones

The July writing prompt was to share about the first book I wrote and published.

My experience is summed up in four words – A Labour Of Love.

A Lifetime 

Rare is the gift of undeserved presence. As a pastor of thousands of people, there are those who entered my life for a moment, and some for a season, all for a reason, but few for a lifetime. Kristen Miller Fersovitch was for a lifetime.

Thirty-six years ago, our family arrived in Edmonton in August fresh from Montreal, the newest additions to a pastoral staff in a historic church. A portion of my role was to provide Christian education opportunities, especially for children. One of those children was eight years old, a peer to our eldest son, and part of our Sunday School. We had no idea then the incredible influence she would become.

Kristen was born into a musical family with parents who travelled North America, so it was quite natural for her to take centre stage in kids choir presentations, church worship teams, and as a featured soloist in musical performances. She was precocious, strong-willed, a competitive athlete, believer, and fiercely loyal to her younger sister and friends. She was a bit of a handful during her teenage and young adult years, but settled quickly after marrying the love of her life, a fireman and giving birth to three wonderful sons.

Cancer 

You can only imagine the devastation of a diagnosis of cancer, all that this horrible affliction brings, and then a second diagnosis of terminal cancer at the age of 28. She had just delivered their third son, and her eldest son was only five. Prayer, fasting, medical intervention, juicing, trips south of the border for special treatment, and more prayer from around the world, could not keep death at bay from her bedside.

She won the hearts of Edmontonians with her tenacious battle during radiation treatments, losing her hair but never her smile, singing at Christmas on the largest stage in the city in front of thousands with a scarf covering the effects of the radiation. She was candid and bold in publicly sharing her faith, along with producing a CD of songs she wrote about God in her journey. Her voice is still one of my favourites and I can't hear it without tearing up. And I was only her pastor, invited into private, precious moments of family time during her courageous struggle. I never felt I did enough.

When she passed away on Thanksgiving weekend, 2013, her celebration of life was held in the largest church in the city, covered by major news networks, and eulogized by the most popular news anchor in Edmonton, one of many who had become her friend.

During the years of her cancer journey, the most asked questions were, “How does Kristen do it? How does she stay so joyful, optimistic, and hopeful amid such a painful struggle?”

In 2015, the first book I published was in answer to those questions. 

Ornament 

The book was a specially crafted, gift-sized, hard cover, with interior artistry provided by a friend of the family, featuring colour pictures of her life, family, and ministry. The title, Ornament, was the inspiration of another of her friends, because like an Christmas tree ornament, Kristen was “on display for all to see”. Her family gave me permission to include her writing, and her husband wrote the final chapter. Each chapter concludes with a reflection and simple direction about developing a personal faith in Jesus just like Kristen’s.

Kristen was real, far from perfect, but a testament to trusting God even with the struggles of leaving her young family. Carrie Doll of CTV summed up the feelings of so many in her tribute in the book: “She was beautiful and real and funny. She challenged us to live the best life we can—in the face of tragedy, in the face of despair. Not by telling us to, but by leading by example.”

Ornament (access the book on Amazon) caught on and became a Canadian bestseller and was awarded the most inspiring story of 2015 by the Word Guild. Readers loved her story and sent messages of the moving and transformative effect of the book.

All the proceeds from the sale of Ornament: The Faith, Hope and Joy of Kristen Fersovitch, went towards building a trust fund for the post-secondary education of her sons.

Kristen often said during the toughest times, “Even if He doesn’t heal me and I die, I will trust Him.” 

She would want you to know that and to live by that faith, hope, and joy.

Thank you for reading. I would love to connect in the comment section. God bless. 

On the Making of Books by Lorrie Orr

 

Welcome to July's new prompt: Tell us about your first book. Was it a childhood project like Madeleine L’Engle’s? Was it a book you published, and if so, what success did it bring you? On the other hand, maybe your first book is in folders in your computer. Or sitting in a closet under a pile of other items. Or in a landfill. Perhaps your first book is still a dream. Or maybe you haven’t dared to dream—yet.

Whatever your story, tell us about it. (Prompt taken from July 2018 InScribe blog)

My first book is a co-writing project, still unfinished. It will never be published in full, and is read unconsciously by those I interact with as I move through my days. This book is my heart and my life, literally, for as Solomon urged his son to write his father's teachings on the "tablet of your heart," so I am collecting wisdom and words from my heavenly father. I gather them when I read and listen and observe, and store them deep within my mind and soul. Some of this wisdom emerges in other forms of writing more visible to the human eye, but everything I produce springs from the experiences of the life God has given me. He is my co-author, encouraging and inspiring me with his faithful presence in my life.

I have written many other books, physical ones, including a small book of children's Christmas crafts, photocopied and stapled for a women's event many years ago, a children's story illustrated by my 3- or 4-year-old daughter, numerous journals, and several commonplace books. On my computer sit 50,000 words of an unfinished mystery novel, a small collection of poems, a Christmas devotional book, and numerous story starts. I can't not write.

For many years, including lack of knowledge and confidence, I didn't move forward with publishing my writing beyond a few articles and short stories. Any queries to publishers were ignored or rejected, not an uncommon experience for many authors. I began to wonder why I should even bother. I didn't have a blockbuster novel or an important name or a large social media following that would impress any publisher.

In a casual e-mail exchange with Brenda Leyland, our lovely blog co-moderator, she mentioned Siretona Creative, a publishing company founded by another InScribe member, Colleen McCubbin. Well. I was introduced to the ins and outs of various ways to publish a book. Colleen shared her great knowledge of the industry and also gave me the confidence to move forward. To make a long story short, my first fully published book was released just over a month ago.

Life is Short but Wide was built on the many letters I wrote to my husband's parents during our 21 years in Ecuador - wonderful source documents! Mum had saved each one and stored them in boxes for me. It was my eldest daughter who said, "Mom, you should write a book with these" that gave me the impetus to begin writing a memoir about those formative and eventful years. I am so glad that I persevered and now have my words able to reach many people. I hope readers are encouraged as they read the stories of someone who experienced different events in a unique setting, but who felt the same emotions, learned much about God's love and faithfulness, and who found beauty in the life given to her.

Now I feel like a floodgate of possibility has opened with the publication of this book. Ideas swirl continually in my brain. What to write next? I nod in agreement when I read Solomon's words "Of making many books there is no end."

Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island.

Her first book, Life is Short but Wide, a memoir of 21 years

in Ecuador, was recently published.

More of her writing can be found at

Substack

her slice of life blog

The Beauty of Jesus by Colleen van Nieuwkerk

I attended Pioneer Girls from Grade Two to Grade Nine and then became a leader for the next thirteen years.

The aim of this club program was “to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ in every phase of my life, based on Colossians 1:9-10, New Living Translation, NLT, “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”

Songfest was a big part of our club evening, and we often sang the song, “The Beauty of Jesus.” When I consider how the concept of beauty has influenced my life, I know that some of its roots began in that clubroom as we vocalized these words:

“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity;

O Thou Spirit divine may I truly be Thine

Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.”

@Albert W. T. Thomas, Author,

Public Domain, hymnary.org

As I consider what the creation of beauty in my writing means, I ask myself:

Do my words give honor and glory to Jesus as the Lord of my life?

Do my words for Jesus allow me to feel His pleasure as I focus on my people and the impact they may feel as they read them?

Do my words stir up word pictures of the beauty of creation, of my life of faith and family, or how I choose to portray beauty even in hard and difficult times?

I try to remember to ask the Holy Spirit to fill me and to give me God’s words as I begin to write. Sometimes I realize I forgot and stop right where I am to say I am sorry and then to ask to be

filled.

I believe the Spirit does fill me because I am His child. However, I had an experience recently where it seemed even though my hands were on the computer keys typing, the words were flowing out on their own. It was an amazing sensation, and is the only time this has happened.

That particular article was published in a magazine, and I have had people respond to me, giving thanks for my words as they embraced my meaning. I felt God’s pleasure at that point.

I am thankful God has taught me to appreciate the beauty all around me, the beauty in the words of other writers, and the practice of deepening my own way of walking in beauty as I share my words with you and with my people.

Colleen van Nieuwkerk is GG to three sons plus 3; twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. She loves to read and enjoys reading to the littles in the family as well as gifting books to them. Colleen writes curriculum for women as well as teaches and is currently writing the story in book form of how this all came about. She lives in northern Alberta and can be found online @colleenvannieuwkerk.com

Karen's Story by Sandra Rafuse

This is Karen's story. She shared it with me one day while recalling a very difficult time in her life, telling me one of the beautiful things God did for her and her two boys at a time of great sadness and difficulty. Something beautiful they would never forget.

 

🙶After my husband left me, I would go on a three mile walk everyday. During the first mile, I would memorize scripture.  During the second mile, I would pray.  During the third mile, I would sing. The walk went in a circle so I always ended up back at the place I had started. The pattern was the same every day. It never changed.

As the days and weeks went by, I began to realize I was seeing a "God thing" every day. It would be something special, or unusual, or unexpected. One day, as  I was crossing the road, I looked up and saw, facing me, a large, dark bird sitting on the branch of a tree. It stood up and opened its wings. . .they were huge. . .at least six feet wide! I was so stuck by their size!  When it lowered its wings and sat down, I continued on my way, keeping the picture of what I had just seen in my mind. Another time, a squirrel scampered into the ditch up ahead. It stopped, stood up tall, and watched me until I was quite near it. Then it crouched down and rushed away into the grass. 'That was unusual,' I thought. 'Having him wait like that until I got so close.'  And one time a swarm of bees went buzzing past me at high speed, racing to their new home, wanting to get there as quickly as possible. I had never seen so many bees flying that closely past me. Their noise and proximity were startling. 

I would share my experiences with my two sons, aged 10 and 13, and one day they eagerly asked if they could walk with me and experience their own "God thing". 'Sure,' I said. We started out on our walk and I prayed in my heart, Lord, don't let me down now. Please send them a sign that you are with us.

It was a pleasant day. The sun was shining down on us and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We were out on a country road and the boys were excited, expecting to see something special but not sure what that would be. We chatted as we walked and one or the other would ask occasionally, 'Do you see anything, Mom? Have we passed anything we should have noticed?'  

"No, not yet. It's coming. It's coming.' We were in the middle of the second mile. 

'Is it going to happen?' They lifted up their questioning faces to look at me.

'Soon. Soon,' I responded. Oh Lord. I'm counting on you. You have given me so many signs of your presence in the past weeks. Please send something for my boys.

We were approaching the last stretch of the third mile. I could see that the boys were becoming skeptical. Their faces had lost that look of expectancy they had started out with and their walk was not as bouncy as it had been at the beginning.

'In just a minute. In just a minute,' I encouraged them. 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a kaleidoscope of Monarch butterflies appeared and landed on some nearby trees and on us! They settled on the boys' and my shoulders, fluttering their wings delicately for a minute or two before they lifted up and flew away. The three of us stood there, speechless, looking at each other. No more looks of skepticism on my boys' faces. No more feelings of doubt. Just total unadulterated joy in each of us.  I felt so tremendously blessed that God had answered my prayers in such a unique and beautiful way. My boys were going to remember this "God thing" from him forever.❞

Three years after hearing Kathy's story, I was sitting in the staffroom of a school I was subbing in that afternoon. One of the teachers looked at me and asked, "Did you hear about the Monarch butterflies that are congregating in the bush near the front entrance?" I told her I hadn't but that I would check it out at home time. At 3:30 I walked out the door that was near the bush and I stopped and stood and looked. I could see dozens and dozens of butterflies fluttering in and about the branches of the bush. From top to bottom and all around. I couldn't take my eyes off them. I was reminded of Karen's story, of how beautiful it was, of how thoughtful and loving and kind God is when he answers our prayers. He is truly "the God who hears". My heart was full. I felt I had been given my very own "'God thing" that day.

El Shama is a Hebrew phrase meaning "the God who hears" or " the God who listens".

Sandra Rafuse lives in the small town of Rockglen, Saskatchewan, with her husband, Bob, a Gordon setter named Sadie, and a Peregrine falcon named Peet. She is a mother to two wonderful sons, a retired teacher, and an amateur writer.  Currently she is thoroughly enjoying having the opportunity to share what God has been teaching her through her life experiences .

Image by Erika-Lowe from Unsplash

Beautiful Words by Brenda J Wood

Image by ToniaD from Pixabay

HEBREW

HESED – unfailing, steadfast love.

SHALOM – complete peace and wholeness.

SELAH – a musical term meaning pause and reflect.

GREEK

AGAPE – unconditional, sacrificial love.

EKKLESIA – the called-out ones, church.

KOINONIA – fellowship, spiritual communion of believers.

CHARIS – grace, unearned, freely given grace.

APOLUTROSIS – redemption, bought back, bondage free.

TZEDEK – righteousness, spiritual perfection before God.

Here they are just words, but more importantly, they are how God sees us, loves us, welcomes us, forgives us.

Let us be thankful.

Brenda J Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.

Beauty and the Writer by Brenda Leyland

The Lord God made to grow every tree

that is desirable and pleasing to the sight

and good (suitable, pleasant) for food.

Genesis 2:9 (AMP)

It's been raining in our corner of the world. As we've had drought conditions and threats of wildfires over the past few seasons, we are more than enjoying this wetter one. Mine eyes dazzle to look out and see how alive and vibrant and green my garden looks in the diffused light. Do you think green is God's favourite colour? Such a beautiful world God has created for us to live in. According to ancient texts, there were all sorts of wondrous things in the original Garden, including trees that were beautiful, and pleasant, to look upon. Our world had not been created only with utilitarian efficiency and function in mind but also with beauty for our wonderment, pleasure, and well-being.

How often had I read that portion before actually noticing that tiny phrase 'pleasing to the sight'. I felt elated. However it first came to reside in my belief system, I grew up with the vague sense that a utilitarian way of life was the more important way. Flowers and beauty were fine in their place but not truly necessary, e.g., planting a vegetable garden was essential but planting flowers was less important, even optional, according to some. But there grew a secret recognition of what I found pleasing to the senses in my child's heart of the pretty things around me—it sometimes came as a ping of the heart or as a delicious shiver down my spine. I fell in love with the clove-scented flowers in Grandma's garden; was in awe of a midnight blue sky filled with billions of stars that felt so close I wanted to reach up and pluck some with my hand; was ever delighted with that contrast of light and dark in the skies after a summer rainstorm.

So learning that, in the grand scheme of things, lovely trees had been created just for their beauty solidified something on the inside. God was not just okay with us loving the beauty in the world, he'd established it in the original designs for this planet and its inhabitants. I felt released to delight in the beauty and creativity all around me. It was not a waste of time, effort, or resources to make my life and corner of the world I called home as lovely as possible. I had come to see early on that beauty is what truly inspires and motivates me at the core of my being. If I can find the beauty in a thing or task, then I can do it with joy in my heart.

In our prompt this month, we were invited to peruse the account in Exodus 35 where we learn of God's intricate planning for the building of the tabernacle. And how he gave special skills and gifts to various artists and artisans so that his dwelling on the earth would be beautiful in every way. This glimpse of God working with mankind and mankind working with God to create beauty, isn't it thrilling?

So, when it comes to my writing, I love the idea of joining forces with fellow creatives to develop the creativity, ideas, and skills God has given to me, to us, to create. I love that lovely old line in Proverbs 25:11, "A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (AMP). A bit of graceful beauty from my pen to someone's heart. Written to fit the situation and then offered at just the right moment. To me, it's a beautiful thing. And that phrase "apples of gold in settings of silver", how much more lovely can that phrase be?

As a writer I rely on creating word pictures to show the beauty I see around me. And how I imagine the world might be when it's made perfect again. I write to offer readers what delights me in the every day things, all the while hoping they will find their own inspiration to live with beauty, joy, and creative energy. In honour of the One who dreamed it up as it was originally intended. I write to remind myself, and my readers, to keep watching for glimpses of heaven in unexpected places. These glimpses point us towards the Beautiful One, the one who made us co-creators with himself.

(Top) Image by Andreas from Pixabay

Brenda Leyland writes from her perch that looks out on the garden, the birds at the birdbath, and the sky overhead. You can find her 'slice of life' writing on her blog It's A Beautiful Life. She is also on Facebook and Instagram (under Bren Leyland).

 

Beauty Draws Us to God by Mary Folkerts

 

We all know just how cracked and broken this world and we ourselves are, yet when I read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts, she challenges me to search for beauty like a woman on a mission.

The One who created us created beauty all around us—
in cloud formations,
in the giggle of the little one,
the tender embrace of a friend,
in quiet words of comfort received,
in the chatter of the early morning birds,
the sweep of the prairie grasses,
in the steam off of your first morning cup of coffee,
in the expanse of the ripening yellow canola fields,
the cluster of cows grazing.
The more we look for beautiful,
the more our eyes
will be trained to see it,
our ears tuned to listen for it.

If the One who formed us in His image is responsible for all the extravagant beauty we see, surely He mandates us also to create beauty. He gives the ability and passion to create, be it with our hands or words, but sometimes struggles in life cripple us, and we are unable to create beauty, let alone see the beauty God places before us.

Could we find our way back to beauty by intentionally seeking the many ways God has gifted us with it through creation? Could beauty itself be part of our healing? And what if, in the process, we begin to find ways to create our own beauty again?

Creating has a two-fold purpose: in it, we find delight and restoration for our souls, but it is also the fruit of delight for others to partake in, drawing them into the secret of God’s extravagant beauty. It is God’s creative handiwork that ignites our creativity, allowing us to be co-creators with Him in His grand design!

Could your words be the beauty someone needs to hear?

There is a yearning
inside—
My spirit calls for
something
just out of reach.
I can’t quite place it,
it’s like an ache
or an emptiness
that needs filling.

Sometimes I feel it
in the melody.
The music
washes over my soul
like rain
soaking a parched ground,
and I begin to feel it.
My tears with the haunting
refrain—
maybe it’s in the
music.

Maybe it’s a need for
beauty.
The morning sky splashed
in color,
the evening glow as
day is done,
chasing the sun in its
perpetual glory.
Yes! Beauty of the
natural!

The tiny green shoot
forcing its way through
warming earth,
the ocean vast and endless
captures me, mesmerizes
and touches a small part
of the yearning
inside—
I need more of nature
then.
I will surround myself with
mountains, rivers, oceans
beaches, flowers.
I will adventure and
bask.
I will breathe deeply and
let beauty fill the
cracks inside.
But I sense it’s more—
not quite enough.
It’s the beginning, it’s like
a taste, still searching,
I can almost grasp it.

What?
What am I
missing?

Is the beauty of nature
pointing me
to more?
Is it the hand of God
I see?
Is it the sweet echo of a
song once heard?
Is it God that fills
the empty?
Was I made for more
than the material world
I can see and grasp?
My spirit longs
for what only
can be filled
by God
Himself.

 

Mary Folkerts is mom to four kids and wife to a farmer, living on the southern prairies of Alberta, where the skies are large and the sunsets stunning. She is a member of Proverbs 31 Ministries' COMPEL Writers Training, involved in church ministries and music. Mary’s blog aims to encourage and inspire women and advocate for those with Down Syndrome, as their youngest child introduced them to this extraordinary new world. For more inspiration, check out Joy in the Small Things https://maryfolkerts.com/ or connect on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/

The Beauty of Trust by Sharon Heagy

"Get it! Kill it! Stomp on it! Hit it with a hammer! I'm not coming in until you get rid of it!" These words, uttered by many a human being have ordered the demise of what are considered to be ugly, hideous and grotesque vermin and insects. Yet ask a rodentologist or entomologist about these same creatures and they will wax eloquent on the beauty and benefits of said creatures. 

Spiders seem to hold a high rank regarding striking fear into the hearts of men, with mice holding a close second. While it may seem irrational to be filled with overwhelming anxiety by something smaller than the sole of one's foot, these fears can be deep-seated to those who experience them. But maybe as writers we can help to calm the fears of children and adults and help our fellow life pilgrims by dispelling fears before they start. Maybe.

Author E.B White's classic Charlotte's Web created an unlikely relationship between a spider named Charlotte, a runt pig named Wilbur and a young girl named Fern. Charlotte herself was a spinner of words which she placed intricately into her webs. Those kind words end up saving Wilbur.'s life.  This endearing tale of friendship, loyalty, trust and sacrifice perhaps mellows our viewpoint about both pigs and spiders, though not everyone would agree. 

Disney took the classic folktale Cinderella and used the same anthropomorphic tools as mice became Cinderella's companions and helped save the day when the wicked stepsisters ruined her gown for the ball. How can one dislike mice after that?  (Already I hear the naysayers who will never believe there is any good mouse except a dead mouse. Some of them are part of my wonderful family.) But Cinderella could trust the mice to come to her aid. 

The film Ratatouille penned and directed by Brad Bird, with input from Jan Pinkauq and Jim Capobianco, tells the tall tale of a rat who has a refined palate and an ability to cook food comparable to the best chefs in Paris. Remy the rat directs the hands of Linguini, his human partner, through a series of signals as he sits beneath Linguini's chef's hat. Remy trusts Linguini to put the right ingredients into the pot and Linguini trusts the rat's directions. Even though rats are pretty intelligent beings and got a bit of a bad rap regarding the spread of the plague, they still do spread disease and I certainly would not want one in my kitchen, or anywhere near my house and definitely not under my hat!

If we can't trust fictional animals or animated furry friends, who can we trust? What about real animals? There are abundant stories of animals who save their owners. Horses hitched to a wagon who find the way home in a blizzard when the owner can't see and drops the reins letting the horses take the lead. A friend of ours was rescued twice by his dog as he fought to save his fishing camp in a forest fire last year. Twice, when he was overcome by smoke, couldn't see and was at his limit, he grabbed the tail of his yellow lab, told her to take him to the truck up on the main road and she did, saving his life. But can we trust animals all the time? Horses can freeze and dogs can be overcome by the same smoky fires as us.

One of the most beautiful pictures of trust I have ever seen comes from the picture at the top of the page. A couple of weeks ago at church this little fellow slept in his mother's arms for the whole sermon. Watching him flip and flop, changing position from time to time was an illustration of absolute trust. He had no fear and did not wake knowing his mom would not drop him, nor leave him, nor abandon him. No matter how he moved, from laying on her arm to her shoulder, to her other shoulder and back down to a prone position in his mom's loving care, he never even flinched. To me, it was a picture of how we are to trust in God. No matter how we move and change direction, going ahead, falling behind, His arms are there to guide us back to His path, to His hands, to His love, grace and mercy and we can trust Him completely without flinching.  He will never "leave us or forsake us" says the writer of Hebrews 13:5. Jesus, quoted in the same book, Hebrews 2:13 states, "I will put my trust in Him." And He did even to the cross. What an example of beautiful trust He gave us. May we follow His lead in our lives and in our writing. As He guides our words we will create pieces of beauty beyond ourselves. We just have to trust Him and let go.

Sharon Heagy writes from the wonderful town of Rockglen, Saskatchewan, where she lives with her husband, a big dog and furry cats. She writes to bring hope and humour to a world that needs both. She can be reached at sharonheagy@gmail.com 


Thanks for taking the time to visit today. God bless.

 

Reflections on Beauty by Susan Barclay

  

She walks in beauty. [Pic from Pixabay]

Reflections on Beauty

Helen Keller

Blind, deaf, mute

Intelligent and inspiring

Reminds us that

The best and most beautiful things in the world

cannot be seen or even touched—

they must be felt with the heart.

Vincent Van Gogh

Depressed, intense, tormented

Masterful and expressive

Reminds us that

Great things are done

by a series of small things

brought together—

each one quiet, but necessary.

Lord Byron

Clubfooted, moody, and pale

Sensual and enduring

Reminds us that

There is pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is rapture on the lonely shore…

and meaning in wandering without certainty.

There is beauty in words, images, ideas

shaped by our minds

into something whole—

a body of work

made from fragments of thought.

There is beauty in living, laughter, and love,

in creativity, nature, and God,

beauty in sacrifice

and in healing,

even when neither is easy.

And so beauty is not distant,

not rare or reserved—

it is present

in everything we become

when we choose to notice it.

c. Susan Barclay, June 2026

_______________________

 

For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

The Beauty of Human Touch in my Writing Voice by Alan Anderson

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is

commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything

worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

The Beauty of Interactions

The prompt for this month asks, “What does creating beauty mean to you and your writing?” The posts throughout this month are examples of beauty in themselves. So much so it would be wonderful to include them in a book on writing as beauty. For now, however, I humbly offer my contribution to our InScribe blog.

While reading through Beauty: The Invisible Embrace, and loving the entire book, the following words from page 12 struck me:

"When we hear the word ‘Beauty’, we inevitably think that beauty belongs in a special elite realm where only the extraordinary dwells. Yet without realizing it, each day each one of us is visited by beauty. When you actually listen to people, it is surprising how often beauty is mentioned. A world without beauty would be unbearable. Indeed the subtle touches of beauty are what enable most people to survive."

I entitled this blog post, “The Beauty of Human Touch in my Writing Voice,” because the beauty of interactions with people fuels most of what I write. These interactions have filled my life with whatever is lovely, significant memories, experiences, kindness, love, and wisdom.

Interactions with people over decades have also given me the opportunity to help mature what John O’Donohue would call my inner landscape. One’s inner landscape is how our outer and inner worlds intertwine.

For anyone interested, here is a link to a discussion of an interviewer talking with John O’Donohue on the inner landscape. https://onbeing.org/programs/john-odonohue-the-inner-landscape-of-beauty/?ref=antoinebuteau.com

A Continued Development of My Writing Voice

Perhaps it is because I am older now, but I see a need within me to opt for a quieter and slower-paced life. The landscape of the world around me is too noisy, rushed, and busy. I need to clear my inner landscape of events in the world that distract the birth of my words.

I work hard at developing my writer’s voice. In December 2025, I wrote a brief message to honour people in my life who influenced and shaped me as a man and a writer. They are those who were and are instrumental in the development of my inner landscape, how I interact with life, etc. Please allow me to share this with you.

They were family members, friends, and acquaintances. The world shone brighter and did not seem so cold because of their presence. They gave me treasured companionship and comfort. Holding grudges was a weakness they did not share. They mentored me and taught me what matters in life; they taught me of beauty.

When we were together, I could feel their warmth and loving presence. They taught me the preciousness of the moment. Memories of these dear ones are why there are often tears in my words as I nurture my inner landscape.

I can no longer feel their touch or embrace them, but I can live for them. Oh, how I would love to have one more of their hugs. I cherish unique hand-holding memories with these dear ones; time will not erase. These loved ones still matter. They let me know how special human touch is. I will honour and cherish them for the rest of my life. The world will know of their love in the way I live, love, and write.

The beauty of human touch, whether physical or emotional, continues to allow my writer’s voice to flourish. There will come a time when my writing ends. Until then, I will endeavour to write words that hopefully offer a sense of beauty, a beauty where people will know they are not alone.

Dear readers and writers, allow your inner landscape to birth words of beauty, offering to the world whatsoever is lovely.

 

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home, with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He has occasionally written articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog are https://scarredjoy.ca. He also writes on Substack.

 

The Beauty of Words by Steph Beth Nickel

When we think of blessings, typically, we think of the positives in life. We may also think of a secular perspective on how God shows His love for us by showering us with things that make our lives easier. Thus the hashtag that was going around for a while: #amblessed

But we know from the Scriptures, and from our lives, that some of the richest blessings don't seem like blessings at first. Second Corinthians 12:10 provides a tremendous perspective for every believer. When we are weak, we are in a unique situation to experience God's strength.

So...

What does this have to do with beautiful words?

The power of words is similar to blessings.

Yes, there are words that virtually everyone would consider beautiful. From the uplifting poem for which each word was carefully chosen to the note of encouragement that brings a smile to the recipient's face. From the work of fiction that makes us laugh out loud and leaves us feeling all warm and fuzzy to the nonfiction book that ends with a practical and invigorating charge to readers that motivates lasting change.

But could there be a deeper kind of beauty?

Years ago, when asked who my favourite author was, one of the first names that came to mind was Edgar Allan Poe.

Are you surprised? Shocked? Horrified?

I answered as I did, not because I enjoy horror or even Poe's works as a whole but because of all the authors I've read, few have chosen their words so carefully that not only does the reader see a detailed mental picture of each scene but also experiences the atmosphere the author was seeking to create.

To me, that's one of the most powerful expression of the beauty of words.

As writers, we can transport readers to an entirely new world. We can touch their hearts and stir their emotions. We can take them by the hand and help them make decisions that can change the course of their lives for the better.

Sometimes our words will be like a breath of fresh air.

At other times, we will have to choose words that relay our own challenging experiences or someone else's in order to be believable and in order to point toward a future hope the reader isn't currently able to see.

And what about those words we write only for ourselves?

When my children were young, I often poured out my heart in my journal. And many times, I was working through the challenges I was facing as a young mother. If others read those word (or if I went back and read them now), would they be uplifting? Encouraging? Beautiful? Not by the commonly held definitions of those words.

So, why would I consider them beautiful?

At the time, they allowed me to deal with the struggles I was facing. My inadequacies as a mother. My desperate need for God's intervention in my life.

While I have no desire to reread my old journals, there was a power to the words that found their way onto paper. And in that power . . . a certain beauty.

So, whether we're writing for our eyes only, for our closest friend, or for the public, may we chose our words carefully, may we seek to ultimately encourage the reader, and may we create beauty that can breathe life and hope into a moment or possibly, a lifetime.

Steph Beth Nickel is the former Editor of FellowScript and the current InScribe Contest Coordinator. Steph is an editor and author and plans to relocate to Saskatchewan from Ontario to be close to family in 2027, Lord willing. (Headshot Photo Credit: Jaime Mellor Photography)

The Beauty of an "Awe Walk" by Sandi Somers

I awakened early and felt an urge to go for a pre-dawn walk that morning of June 14, 1995, to one of my favourite Calgary nature areas—Weaselhead. It was a thickly-treed area that I so enjoyed hiking every so often. The sky was clouded over and there was a possibility of rain, so I wore my raincoat.

As I began my walk, I breathed in the fresh earthy fragrance and absorbed the idyllic atmosphere of trees whose leaves had recently burst into their green June fullness.

Raindrops began to fall. Softly they landed on tree leaves—music to my ears. I pulled my jacket hood over my head and heard the gentle drops.

Just then a least flycatcher with his characteristic "che-bek" began to sing beside my pathway. He was hidden among the tree leaves and I had to carefully search to spot this tiny brown bird, smaller than even a house wren (photo and song here).

Something about that beautiful moment inspired such great awe that I couldn't express my feelings. Eventually I discovered that the Psalms would give me words for what I could not say. I especially loved Psalm 104, savoring the eloquent word choices and imagery. The beauty and grandeur of God almost took my breath away.

O Lord my God, how great you are!

You are robed with honor and majesty.

You are dressed in a robe of light….

You make springs pour water into the ravines,

So streams gush down from the mountains.

They provide water for all the animals…

The birds nest beside the streams

And sing among the branches of the trees…

My walk that morning has been an example of what Professor Virginia Sterm called an "awe walk", or a beauty excursion, walking in nature with the intention of tapping into something that brings a sense of wonder.

(NOTE: A beauty excursion can also be to other places—an art gallery of majestic paintings, a museum, a bookstore where you find a gem, a Christmas craft sale where you discover beautiful wood carvings…)

The question is: How can we capture beauty in our writing through nature “awe walks” or other beauty excursions? Writing can deepen our experience as we take photos, journal, write a poem, compose a song, or add to an article. Here are several angles:

- Engaging our senses sharpens our attention and “thickens” our writing, to use Carol Shields’ concept. Writing the scene as fully as possible makes a good story that captivates our readers’ attention and imagination.

- Including metaphors and unique verbs improves the variety and quality of our sentences and makes our writing sing.

- Marvelling on the wonder gives us an emotional boost. Psychologists say that wonder, joy, beauty, and awe bring down such things as anxiety, depression, stress, anger, and fatigue while increasing restorative effects such as vitality, vigor, and positive emotions. As we give ourselves a moment to feel joy and calm or excitement and amazement, we can attempt to write our emotional responses in these transcendent moments.

- Giving time to write of our gratitude and worship our Creator God is a necessary component. As we delight in our Lord, the beauty of nature and of our relationship with Jesus flourishes in our lives and writing. Doing so enables us to discover a spiritual meaning, a universal truth that our readers can relate to. William Blake wrote an eloquent poem on discovering the universal truth when he wrote:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour.

The author Harold Best advised: “Remember that God makes things beautiful from the inside out…elegant …Join up with the mind of the One in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”[i]

As we write to engage beauty, our lives can have a great impact. I’m reminded of someone who said that the testimony of a survivor of Cambodia’s Killing Fields was “something beautiful for God.”

God is developing us into a beautiful work of art and faith. A faith that fuels trust and hope. Pay attention to how you experience God’s presence and tell how beautifully He is working in your life.

Sandi Somers’ writing passion is to help readers grow their faith in Jesus, including their vision of what God wants them to be and do. She writes of her love of nature, gardening, travel, and family in several genres—devotionals, personal essays, and Biblical fiction. Sandi lives in Calgary, Alberta, the delightful city between the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies.

[i] Michael Card, (Scribbling in the Sand, Downers Grove, IL, IVP, 2002), 123-124.

Top Image by Pixabay

Beauty Beyond Sight ~ Valerie Ronald

 

How do I convey beauty to one whose eyes can no longer see? An irreversible eye disease has recently robbed my grandson of his vision. From now on his 25 years of visual data will be the only images stored in his memory. Though he is learning to experience beauty with his remaining senses, visual beauty can only be conveyed to him second-hand by the spoken word of another who sees it. 

 

 Already the rest of his senses are adapting. His brain has the remarkable ability to repurpose itself, reallocating the visual cortex to process information from hearing, touch, and smell. As saddened as I am by his loss of vision, I am also challenged to find ways to describe beauty to him that he can interpret through his other senses. His loss of vision causes me to view visual beauty from a unique perspective, searching for metaphors that capture the essence of what I see and translate it to a different physical sense. 

˗˗The sky is as piercingly blue as the clear song of a meadowlark. 

˗˗Her hair curls around her face like the softness of a summer breeze on your cheek

˗˗The swift flow of a mountain stream is as brisk as the scent of a pine forest. 

Jesus was a master of using visual metaphors to describe spiritual truths. He chose appealing illustrations from nature to convey spiritual concepts to temporal humans. He said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10 NIV). As He spoke these words, the woman might have imagined a spring of fresh, clear water bubbling up that would never run dry˗˗a beautiful picture of the everlasting spiritual life offered to her by Jesus, the Messiah.

 

As a writer who believes in Jesus Christ, my desire is to find descriptive words to convey His beauty to those who are spiritually blind. His beauty is found in His perfect character, His loving purposes, and His exact representation of His Father in heaven. The infinite facets of who He is offer me endless opportunities to describe Him, so those who cannot see Him now will hopefully open their spiritual eyes to see how beautiful He truly is.

 

In coming to terms with his new physical reality, my grandson is developing the ability to know beauty without the means of sight. Already he experiences beauty in the sound of a loved one’s voice, in the touch of a child’s hand, in the scent of rain on the breeze. I pray He will also find beauty in the love of His Saviour.

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk. 

Beauty and Writing by Carol Harrison

What brings pleasure to my senses? As I pondered the prompt for this month's blog post, I scrolled through photos from the years gone by. Beauty in everyday moments filled the screen and brought wonderful memories to mind. It filled my senses as I could remember the scent of a flower, the chill of the air, the noise of rapids, and see the majesty of the rugged peaks. 

Beauty found in moments of sunrise through the trees or across a snow covered field, colouring the sky with vibrant colours as a new day began. I paused at photos of fast flowing, white water rapids tumbling through the Niagara Gorge and remembered their roar and the splash of water onto the observation deck. Other photos showed a storm laden sky with dark ominous clouds hiding the brilliance of the sun as the earth waited for drops of moisture. 

There is a delicate beauty of a blossom no matter where it blooms. I've snapped a photo of a lone, stunted sunflower brightening up the shoulder of a highway on a dreary, cloudy day. Another photo reminds me of the beauty a bouquet of flowers brightened a hospital room or on my dining table.  

The list continues as I scroll through photos and bring memories to mind. Yet I also find beauty in my favourite paintings or prints hanging on my walls, some made more special because I know the artist. There are pretty knick knacks, many with stories to go with them sitting on shelves throughout my home. They range from delicate, fragile china ornaments to the sparkling insides of a geode or the round smoothness of an old marble. 

There have been so many times I wish I could capture the beauty of everyday things with more than word pictures like a fantastic photo or accurate sketch. Yet that is not the gift God has given me. I must use words to capture the imagination, fill the senses, and evoke memories for the readers so they feel like they are transported to that time and place.  Everyday moments offer such a diverse subject matter for our writing and the opportunity to create wonderful word pictures. Each time I sit to write I need to remember to engage all the senses in order to offer the readers the most enjoyable, engaging experience they can have with the words on my pages. 

God created the beauty in the world around us for us to enjoy. Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein." My words are a gift God has given to be used for His glory and the enjoyment of the readers. I need to continue to trust Him and learn more about the craft of writing and then practice it. 

 

Carol Harrison lives and writes from Saskatoon, SK. She loves to find the beauty in everyday things around her and then try and capture them with a photo and word pictures.