Safe in God’s hand!

Posted on 11 September 2026 by Gineke van Keulen

It has been a while since I last posted something, but when I was doing bible study this morning, I felt it in my heart that I wanted to share this with you! So here is what I jotted down in my notebook! May it fill you with hope and joy!

When someone gives his/her life to Christ, God’s protection is on that person, and the evil one cannot touch him/her anymore. (1 John 5:18)

This does not mean that we no longer sin or make mistakes. It means that our sin will no longer hold us captive. We are covered with the blood of Jesus; therefore, nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! (Romans 8: 38-39)

The moment we surrender ourselves to Christ, our place in Heaven is secured. Nothing, or no one can take us out of the Father’s hand! (John 10:29) Not even Satan himself, or sin.

What a blessing this is for us! That we have a God who loves us so much that He was willing to give up His only Son, so that when we give our life, heart and soul to Him, He will protect us, secure us, and keep us safe in His hands! (John 3:16)

Prayer:

Father in Heaven. Thank you for Your willingness to give up Your only Son, Jesus Christ, so that my life can be safe in Your hands. I am eternally grateful for this immense sacrifice! In Jesus precious name, Amen!

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

A Woman Who Loves Household Chores

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Gineke van Keulen

I stand behind the stove,
my favourite place,
in the entire house,
and I prepare a meal,
for me and my household.
Ever since I was young,
my mother taught me,
to cook and to clean,
and to take care of myself.
It was one of the more,
valuable lessons I learned,
and it is something,
I am still grateful for.
Through the years,
I learned to read recipes,
and tried to improve my skills,
because love asked me,
to become better at it.
Cooking and baking are a joy,
because it is a gift of God,
that I get to share,
with the people around me,
and I do it wholeheartedly.

Mother Teresa once said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” And Jesus taught in Luke 16:10, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” (KJV) It is not the big things in life that matter most, but the little things!

Simple household chores can be a wonderful way to serve God. Look at the woman in Proverbs 31, she may do a lot, but it is all simple basic tasks, that she does to the best of her ability. Now, I am not saying we should all become Proverbs 31 women, but I do say that we can learn from her. We can learn to take the things God has given us, no matter how small, and we can do it faithfully, to the best of our ability. Honouring God, and glorifying Him, does not have to be done in big, extraordinary ways, we can do it in the mundane, in the everyday life. We can be faithful in a little and show our love for our Lord and Savior in our small acts of faithfulness and obedience.

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!

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.