Author: Laurel Jean

Hey, there! I'm Laurel Jean - a Christ-following human composed of parts farm girl, logophile, ink slinger, and sociable hermit.
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In which I share my new favorite poem and ask for poetry recommendations

by Laurel Jean2 Comments on In which I share my new favorite poem and ask for poetry recommendations

That moment when you’re reading a piece of poetry… and your heart starts crying in the weirdest mixture of joy and sadness and your mind screams, “Yes… yes… yes!!! That’s right!“

That’s the moment I had earlier this afternoon when I read…

goodbyes.

Please, guys, go check it out. It’s beautiful. It’s difficult (for me personally, at least) to find poetry that so perfectly blends the experience of pain and joy in life with a right relationship with God, but this piece hits the mark dead on.

*whispers* Go read it.:)

Also… I’m trying to read more poetry, and would love some recommendations! Do you have any favorite poets/poems? Let me know in the comments… I’d love to check them out.:)

-Laurel

Poetry

Awake – A Poem

by Laurel Jean2 Comments on Awake – A Poem

Hello, friends!

I’ve been having fun writing off of these flash fic prompts this July. Today’s prompt was awake – and for me, it inspired more of a freestyle poem than a piece of flash fiction. I decided to fly with that idea… and here’s what happened!:)

stop living your life like it’s endless.

it’s not.

make the most of each

song

conversation

quick talk

goodbye hug

every moment

you have with this life, or else

soon

the tomorrows you planned for and wanted

so badly

may fade into days of regret.

live this life

to the hilt

awake

so that you may see clearly

the mist

of your trembling mortality.

Journaling, Personal, reading

Recent Reads, Journal Snippets, + Highlights of June 2021

by Laurel Jean3 Comments on Recent Reads, Journal Snippets, + Highlights of June 2021
Recent Reads, Journal Snippets, + Highlights of June 2021

And here it is… the monthly recap.:)

Highlights

  • Helping with fieldwork and learning what not to do when merging hay
  • Riding with my dad in the chopper
  • Finishing the Out of Time series
  • Park time with some cousins
  • Making strawberry shortcake for the first time
  • Taking Pride and Prejudice selfies with a sister
  • Compiling all of my poetry into one place
  • Singing with my family
  • Letting the craziness of life push me closer to God
  • Studying the Bible with friends
  • Coming up with these flash fiction prompts

What I’ve Been Reading

A Time to Speak – Nadine Brandes

The second book in the Out of Time Series… I give it six stars out of five.

A Time to Rise – Nadine Brandes

This one convinced me that the Out of Time Series is my new favorite set of books. An epic storyline, page-turning suspense, sweet romance, engaging writing, and questions posed that challenge the way I live and think… this series covers all the bases, in my book! (Pun intended.:) )

Flags of Our Fathers – James Bradley and Ron Powers

I love the way the historical quality of this book is meshed so beautifully with engaging writing. I’ve been enjoying this glimpse of the lives of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima.

Before We Were Yours – Lisa Wingate

Sometimes books with two storylines bore me. Not this one! I’m excited to finish it and see how everything pulls together.

Journal Snippets

Fill me so I can fill others.

If others pointed people to my life as an example of what a true Christian is, would they get an accurate description?

I love Habakkuk’s heart of humility here in Habakkuk 2:1 – “I will watch to see… what I will answer when I am corrected.” He’s asking God why… but isn’t looking to justify his own indignation. He’s seeking to know and accept the heart of God.

“You did awesome things for which we did not look…” You directed the hearts of men like the rivers of water… and I am full of confidence that You can do it again to accomplish Your will.

Oh, God, give me purity of heart and grace on my lips.

Reading in Ezekiel today about how God defended the Israelites He had disciplined was encouraging. Even though I’ve messed up big-time, Jesus, Your love fights for me. Thank You.

God, I want to be seeking You more. Finding my fulfillment in You – my strength and courage and purpose and driving force in You. God, I never regret time taken to spend in Your word… so why do I have to force myself into it at times? Whet my appetite, Lord.

What blessed/challenged you most this June?

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July Flash Fiction Writing Challenge!!!

by Laurel Jean8 Comments on July Flash Fiction Writing Challenge!!!
July Flash Fiction Writing Challenge!!!

Surprise! A Thursday blog post again.:)

I want to be writing more flash fiction. So… I put together a list of one word prompts – one for each day of July – to use to get my creative juices flowing into some flash fiction pieces. I’ll be writing one piece of flash fiction for each prompt. I thought I’d share the prompts here so you guys can be writing along with me this month if you’d like!

  1. firefly
  2. anthem
  3. scratch
  4. sacrifice
  5. melody
  6. ice cream
  7. belonging
  8. shred
  9. balance
  10. thunderstorm
  11. jar
  12. awake
  13. daisy
  14. disintegrate
  15. hoop
  16. soar
  17. sliver
  18. classic
  19. pungent
  20. muddy
  21. euphoria
  22. glass
  23. dwindle
  24. highway
  25. firecracker
  26. unrest
  27. sandals
  28. serendipity
  29. twig
  30. wary
  31. shuffle

Let me know in the comments if you plan to take the challenge so I can be cheering you on!! I’m super excited to do this… and arrive at the end of July with 31 whole new pieces of flash fiction!

Flash Fiction

Stop Hiding – Flash Fiction

by Laurel Jean11 Comments on Stop Hiding – Flash Fiction

Hello, friends! I have another flash fiction for you today. Actually, it has a very similar theme to this poem I wrote a few months ago! I hope you enjoy it.:)

“Stop hiding.”

The girl stares back at me blankly. Arms crossed, lips resting in a sullen droop. Unconvinced. Waiting for me to say more.

I hesitate, then take a breath. “How can you expect to be understood when all you’ll give them is a false front?”

“It’s safer this way.” She swallows and breaks eye contact, studying the linoleum.

“Maybe.” I stare at her and she stares back, chocolate eyes pooling with tears. “But… don’t you want people to know who you truly are?”

“Yeah, but…” she pauses, and a tear falls from her lower eyelid. Her toe traces circles on the floor.

I wait. I know her well enough to know that she’ll talk when she’s ready. And she does.

“My story isn’t worth knowing.”

“That’s not true… every story’s worth knowing.”

“Mine isn’t.” Another tear splashes onto her dusty foot.

“But… what if… other people have stories like yours? And they need to know they’re not alone?” I wrap my arms around myself. “What if you’re the one who needs to let them know that?”

Silence aches on for several moments. I can hear her breathing… deep, searching breaths facing down near-terror. She watches more tears paint damp circles on her toes.

Finally…

“Okay.” She sniffs and blinks, her fist smearing tears on her face. “I won’t keep hiding.”

I nod and turn away from the mirror.

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For Once… A Happy Poem!

by Laurel Jean8 Comments on For Once… A Happy Poem!
For Once… A Happy Poem!

*peels you off of the floor*

Yes. It’s true. I actually wrote a happy poem… and it’s honestly one of my favorites now! I hope you like it, too.:)

sunshine

it’ll come again – someday –

and you’ll skip through the puddles with its

rays on your face

and you’ll

smile again

but not like before

‘cause the raindrops have

pummeled your skin and they’ve rinsed off the

dust that hid

beauty within

oh, you’ll smile again

more beautifully

fully

again.

Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash

Poetry

Another Poem

by Laurel Jean9 Comments on Another Poem
Another Poem

Hello, friends!

Graduation – for me at least – is/was a bittersweet time. Yes, you’re saying goodbye to several things. But you’re also opening the door to SO much!!

Soak it all in, graduates. Thank God for the past. Trust him for the future. This poem is for you.💕

I’m striking out into waters unknown –

Waters I’ve spent hours dreaming of.

In my dreams the ocean called my name –

The wind sang a melody that

gripped me.

I longed to dip my toes into the waters of

adulthood.

But my childhood

and the familiar

have twined about my throat and blossomed

memories.

The smell is sweet –

how can I tear them away?

I look ahead at the ocean stretched before me.

It’s darker than I thought.

Rougher, too.

Tears well in my eyes as Time pushes me to the

water’s edge.

I’m scared.

How can I make my way in such a storm?

I don’t even know where I’m going.

Slowly, light ebbs across the waves,

and I can see the path I’m standing on

continue

through the sea.

I cannot see its twists and turns,

but the path is

still there.

I’m simply traveling on –

doing what I was made to do.

Slowly

tenderly

I pluck the flowers from the vines and

tuck them away

where their fragrance will always

linger near.

I take the tangled vines,

gently loosing their grasp.

I let them fall now to the shore

and I step into the sea.

Flash Fiction

Alone

by Laurel Jean6 Comments on Alone
Alone

I wrote this flash fic piece from the perspective of one of my favorite characters in the novel I’m writing.

And don’t worry… he’s gonna be okay.:)

The room is warm. Stifling. I would open the window if the breeze wouldn’t carry the scent of lilacs and an onslaught of memories.

I can’t sleep.

I kick off the sheets and stumble to the window, leaning my forehead against the cool glass. Respite from the heat seeps from the smooth pane into and across my forehead, providing a touch of relief from the oppression that coats my body in a thin film of sweat.

I keep my eyes wide, afraid of what my mind’s eye will see if I close them again. Rather, afraid of how my heart would respond.

I suck in a breath and stare through the glass. All I can see is inky darkness – the firm silhouettes of barns and treelines that straggle across a horizon the sun abandoned. These are silhouettes I could trace in my sleep. I’ve lived most of my life to see new skylines… why does the skyline of my childhood so fascinate me now?

It beats staring at the untouched pillow next to mine.

My breath fogs the windowpane and I twist my head to the side, cooling my cheek against the glass while heat burns behind my eyes. I don’t fight the tears anymore… at least not when I’m alone.

Alone.

I clench my jaw against the word. A year ago it meant independence. Freedom to do whatever I wanted to do. Freedom to go wherever I wanted to go. Freedom to choose the future I wanted to live.

Freedom to choose someone who would be taken from me.

It is not good for the man to be alone…

My hands tighten into helpless fists and I slide to the floor, letting my head fall back against the wall. Tears trickle into my ears as I lift my face to the ceiling.

God…

He knows what’s coming. It’s all I’ve been able to say to Him since…

 I bow my head. I’m sick of saying it. I wonder if He gets sick of hearing it. But I have to tell Him. Our lines of communication can’t go down, and so… I whisper.

Why?

Photo by Iván Barcia on Unsplash

Book Reviews, Journaling, Personal, reading

Recent Reads, Journal Snippets, and Highlights of May 2021

by Laurel Jean9 Comments on Recent Reads, Journal Snippets, and Highlights of May 2021
Recent Reads, Journal Snippets, and Highlights of May 2021

The end of another month… and so we continue with not-long-standing tradition!

Highlights

  • running lunches to the fieldwork people – bonus when I got to take the four wheeler!
  • chopping off… a lot… of my hair
  • trying to write 1,000 words of my novel each weekday (it didn’t happen every day, but it definitely boosted my progress!)
  • running errands with my youngest sisters
  • doing more a capella singing with my family
  • discovering this playlist
  • enjoying crazy-fun times with friends+siblings
  • studying the Bible with aforementioned friends+siblings
  • surviving (and thoroughly enjoying:) ) a competitive game of Ultimate Frisbee
  • working on a writing project that is (hopefully!) soon to be disclosed to the general public…

What I’ve Been Reading

A Time to Die – Nadine Brandes

This is my new favorite book! Not many books keep me reading way too late into the night anymore, but this one did! Every time the excitement began to die down, something new/horrible/exciting happened. I loved it, and can’t wait to finish the trilogy! I can’t recommend it enough.

A Time to Speak – Nadine Brandes

The second book in the Out of Time series… so far, it’s just as amazing as the first!

The Ascent of Rum Doodle – W.E. Bowman

I’ve had this one on my shelf for so long, and finally determined to finish reading it. It’s absolutely hilarious… thanks for recommending + lending it, Grandma! Don’t worry… I’ll return it soon.:)

To Build a Fire – Jack London

Another one recommended by my grandma… so, so good. And devastating. And good.:)

Journal Snippets

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not of my circumstances. So… onwards!

God, help me to lose myself and take on the identity You give me – joyfully and with grace. Don’t let me waste my time on worthless pursuits.

Am I willing to offer every aspect of my life to God as a living sacrifice? Will I let You completely mangle my dreams for my life so I can live out Yours? Yes, Lord. Only by Your grace. All I want is Your plan.

Help me to live fully. To have a zest for life. To love fully and extravagantly. To realize the brevity of life and throw myself into making each second count. For good.

Oh, man, life was so much simpler when I was eight. (hehehe…)

God is helping me to see my life the way He sees it – brimming with beauty and opportunity. I see each day as an opportunity to serve God fully and freely, to nurture my relationship with Him, to press into Him and see that He is indeed good, and more than enough for me.

How was your May? What made it stand out to you?