The Magpie and the Vine

Posted on 12 March 2026 by Gineke van Keulen

From my bedroom window, I can see two magpies making a nest high atop a tree. Every branch is neatly put in the right place by the male and female magpie. They work together meticulously.

At some point, one of the magpies throws a branch out of the nest. The branch is not good enough to build the nest.

As I am watching this, I am thinking about the words Jesus spoke in John 15 which says,

“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit.”

How beautiful that God presents His work to me so clearly.

God wants His kingdom to be perfect. Just like the magpies with their nest. A bad nest cannot hold the eggs, and it will not allow the magpies to have chicks in the spring. Only when a nest is well constructed, it can hold the eggs and keep them safe and warm. The chicks can grow up well, and in time become strong enough to leave the nest. So, only when God’s kingdom is strong, it will be able to allow God’s children to grow up, strong in their faith.

What this display of the magpies also showed me is, the importance of strong faith. God prunes us, Jesus said. He takes away the bad in us, and He will leave the good, so that we become strong in our faith. When I leave my faith in the hands of the Gardner, He will prune and take away the bad branches. Meaning, He will take my bad habits and change them for good ones. He will take my heart and make it new. He will create a new spirit within me. That is what He does. Our Heavenly Father makes us new. He makes us better. What a blessing!

It amazes me how God can use nature to teach me. I am mesmerised at the works of His hands. He made this world so beautifully, and meticulously. God is the greatest Artist, and I am so grateful to be His daughter.

What moment in nature taught you something about God? Please share it in the comments below! I cannot wait to hear your stories!

*These words and all the poetry and content on this page belong to Gineke van Keulen!*
*Do not use without permission! Thank you!*

A Lent Story

Posted on 2 March 2026 by Gineke van Keulen

For the passed few months I tried to be less on my phone. It is only since lent began that I started taking it more seriously. I took on more hobbies. I try to leave my phone in another room, or on the other side of the room, and I try to spend my time more thoughtful.

During my bible study time this morning, as I was reading Psalm 79 verse five which says, “How long, Adonai? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?”

I focused more on that word ‘jealousy.’ I learned that idolatry is the main thing in the bible that causes God to become jealous. It made me aware that all that time on my phone, is time I am not spending with God.

This poem came forth out of that bible study. I am undone by God’s mercy and grace, and I remember the prodigal son returning home. There is always a way home, a way back to God, and for that I am beyond grateful! I can make mistakes, but I am equally able to run back to God and apologise! The Father’s arms are always open, ready to welcome me, and you, home. And that is a blessing I really wanted to share with you this morning!

My Repentance

Awareness hits me,
as I realise,
how much time,
I spend elsewhere.

Hidden in a device,
that should not take,
so much of my time,
I ran away from You.

I cannot turn back time,
and prevent my actions,
and my behaviour,
but I can change today,
and come back,
into Your presence.

Will You accept me,
will You welcome me,
back into Your Home?

I know, You will!
For You love is endless.
Your anger is slow,
and you grace,
is abounding.

You are waiting for me,
at the end of the road,
and when You see me,
you run to me,
and bring me back to You,
back to where I belong!

Confidence

Posted on 9 January 2026 by Gineke van Keulen

Confidence is the result,
of the faith I have in God.

In God, I find myself;
who I am,
and who I am supposed to be.

In God, I find trust,
and a peace that surpasses me.

In God, I grow in compassion,
and I learn how to love better.
I even learn how to love myself,
which is well-needed.

If I want to grow in confidence,
all I need to do, is focus on Jesus,
the finisher and perfector of my faith,
and he will guide me,
to the place where I need to be,
to be the best version of myself,
and where confidence will be,
more of a normality than a rarity.

*This poem and all the other poetry and content on this page belong to Gineke van Keulen!*
*Do not use without permission! Thank you!*

Christmas in a Snow-Covered World

Posted on 10 December 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year, especially as a child. I would wish for snow, which never came, and long for time with my family, remembering the birth of Jesus. Now I am an adult, it is a joy to frame these memories in poetry and share with you. I hope my words awaken your imaginations when you live through snowless Christmases like I do. I hope the birth of Jesus fills your heart with joy, love, and unimaginable peace, as you sit around the Christmas tree with your family. And I hope you will enjoy these words, as much as I did when I wrote them! Merry Christmas!

Pine trees covered in snow.
The cones have already fallen,
and holly grows between its branches.

My footsteps on the ground,
leave a trail in the fresh snow,
and I look up at the clear blue sky,
where my breath makes new clouds.

As I close my eyes,
I can hear angels singing in the distance.

Instantly recognizing the melody,
the words engraved in my soul,
easily find their way out of my mouth,
and when I open my eyes again,
I can see them all around me.

Praise God in the highest,
and peace on earth for all mankind.

The Messiah has come,
and the whole world needs to know it.
So, I keep on walking,
through this snow-covered world,
until I find the stable,
and I can sing my Christmas song,
to a baby in a manger,
that one day becomes my beloved Savior.

A Season of Stillness

Posted on 1 December 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

A season of stillness,
is surrounding me.
The winter is setting in,
the days are darker,
and the wind is colder.
My instinct tells me,
to turn all the way in;
to isolate myself,
until it is all over.
But I am learning,
that the best way,
to deal with this,
season of stillness,
is to listen to God,
to find His whisper,
in the cold air outside,
in family and friends,
or in the quiet moments,
when I am reading inside.
The only way through,
the stillness surrounding me,
is to understand that God,
is speaking loudest,
when the world becomes,
completely silent!

Grateful!

Posted on 28 November 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

Yesterday, I posted a video on my Instagram account, where I read a new poem of mine about gratitude. Here is the poem in writing, so you can read it at your own comfort. If you want to see the video, or here me read it, please visit my Instagram account: @gineke_creates. In the meantime, enjoy!

My open hands receive,
the pearl that is already,
laying in my hands,
for when I look,
at what I already have,
my life will be blessed.
I will find joy,
in the present moment,
surrounded by loved ones,
and all the blessings,
that colour my life,
in so many shades,
of the finest gold.
So, I do not wish for more,
but I simply wish,
for my eyes to be opened,
to see all the beauty,
my life already holds.

A Soft Heart

Posted on 14 November 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

The morning is mild.
A soft breeze makes,
the trees dance,
and a soft drizzle,
falls on the earth.
I sit behind my desk,
coffee in hand,
but instead of words,
I find contentment.
An ease in my heart,
that is so gentle,
that it takes effort,
for me to reach it.
But it is there,
underneath the surface.
I can reach for it,
and with God’s help,
I can hold it in my hands.
It is a blessing, and a gift,
straight from God’s hand.

The Unpredictable Life

Posted on 23 October 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

How can I describe,
the look in Your eyes,
full of a wisdom,
I do not understand.

The unpredictable life,
springing from a fountain,
of what seems like,
an eternal youth,
can only be seen,
through Your eyes.

I read the words,
You have written down,
and try to wrap my mind,
ever so carefully around it,
but it feels so pointless,
because I do not possess,
the divine wisdom,
that You have.

So, all I can do is trust You,
and take Your hand,
because You are the only one,
who know the best steps,
to get me into the promised land.

A Great Metaphor for Life

Posted on 3 October 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

Pumpkin and spices,
coffee in cozy cafes,
and blankets on sofas,
that used to be bare.

The first hearths are lit,
and candles burn,
spreading their soft light,
in rooms that slowly,
become darker.

Autumn is a time,
of going in,
shutting the door,
and reflecting on life.
And as we try to defeat,
the days getting darker,
by spreading our light,
I think, it is a great metaphor,
for our whole life.

Bloom

Posted on 29 September 2025 by Gineke van Keulen

A rose,
that bends her head,
to look at other roses,
will never be able,
to lift her head again,
and bloom herself.

To become,
the full potential,
of my true self,
I must lift my head,
away from others,
and towards God,
who lovingly,
fills me with His light,
and makes me grow.

Because only,
when I face my Maker,
I can bloom in a garden,
full of roses.