Author: jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

Jesus

Savior in the storm

Arms wide open to comfort

Heals our brokenness.

This cloudy, cool Sunday afternoon in mid-autumn, I have a lot on my mind. Two people whom I love dearly are both facing health challenges. I am reminded that all I can do is pray, and God’s enduring love in the face of life’s storms is sufficient. This life is indeed a storm, and we all get tossed about by the tides that threaten to take us under, but, we must all remember that God is with His children, and although we may suffer, we do not suffer alone.

God sent His son Jesus Christ to this broken world to give hope to the brokenhearted. And, I think we all are brokenhearted about the events that have occurred this past week in the Middle East.

We all carry our own burdens and our own scars. This life hurts; this life is unbearable at times.

But, there is hope. There is Jesus. And, He stands with arms wide open to receive us and to comfort us in our suffering. He is a mere breath away. Simply call His name and He will embrace you and heal you in your suffering.

Jesus is the only hope in this broken world. He is love. He is God’s son.

Please join me in praying for healing all those suffering souls in the Middle East, and worldwide.

John 3:16 prayer:

God, thank you for sending your son into this world to us, a broken people, held captive by sin. Help us trust in Jesus Christ alone as our savior, and help us to spread your love by our actions.

Amen

Jenny W. Andrews copyright 2023

Prairie Flowers

Petals reach for sky

Bathed in yellow majesty

Butterflies glide by.

Jenny W. Andrews copyright 2023

Note: Yesterday, I spent an incredibly peaceful day just enjoying the outdoors. The oppressive heat is finally going away. It was pleasantly cool, so I went for a walk and snapped several photos.

I also stopped by my favorite coffee shop and wrote this haiku.

I hope you enjoy it and I hope you take some time away from your busy schedule to enjoy this beautiful world that God has blessed us with.

Jenny

Notebook: Late 1980s

I cling to the past

to you in shadows of amber, grays, and fading indigo skies; fading light at the end of my days.

Your voice betrays your heart; you fail to have that part of my closed heart you briefly possessed.

The world babbles into chaos; I know I stand here alone among skyscrapers that bury me on this crowded street corner.

Train rushes past; I fail to grasp the image of your handsome face reflected in the shattered glass door that slammed shut.

Loneliness swells around me; crowd jostles me.

I want to deceive myself.

Like the shattered glass, I shatter.

Shades of dying light in hues of lavender, sepia, and soft rose.

Shifting world; shifting hues of light.

Jenny W. Andrews copyright 2023

After the Storm

Hurricane Idalia lost its strength by the time it reached my town. During the night, heavy rain and wind reminded me just how fragile and vulnerable we really are in this life. We are at the mercy of the elements really. Thousands upon thousands of years, humans have survived, though. We manage to move from disaster to restoration because we simply have no other choice but to survive. It’s in our soul. No matter how dark the night; no matter how desperate we become, deep within our human souls we look towards a light that burns within us all. We survive against all odds. We fall down; we get back up. Then, we repeat it all.

This morning, I dashed outside after the rain had stopped and saw this pink rain lily that I had planted way back in April. It simply swayed in the breeze, a testament to all that is beautiful in God’s world.

Fear and anxiety have the devastating punch of a storm hurtling towards a coastline with threats of absolute destruction. Fear and anxiety hinder us and rob us of joy, rob us of peace.

I am petrified of rain at night. I am absolutely petrified when it gets intense, like last night.

So, I turned my thoughts to God and His protecting hands. God is always with me no matter how dark the night; God is always with me no matter how strong the wind.

He is always with each of His children.

Life is full of events that cause us to fear. Life hurts.

It’s never easy when the rains come, when night falls and the world shuts into darkness, and the wind roars.

But, I turn towards God and trust that no matter how dark the night he is with me.

And, He is with each of us.

Through all the storms.

Copyright 2023 (photography and writing) Jenny W. Andrews

Little Lizard on a Leaf

By now, you’ve probably figured out that I enjoy photographing creatures in my garden.

I love nature and find peace and joy in simply watching the quiet little world beneath leaves and inside flower buds.

It is calming to just take a few moments to pause and watch these little creatures go about their day.

I often marvel at the intricacies of this earth. Have you ever paused and just wondered about all that this earth contains: the plants, the insects, the land animals, the sky animals, the sea animals, flowers, food crops, natural resources, et cetera and so on?

Without a doubt, God has powerfully and wonderfully designed and blessed His creation.

So, on this Monday afternoon, just take a few moments from the hustle and bustle of your busy life and consider all the beauty that God had made.

Jenny W. Andrews copyright 2023