Author: marcialeelaycock

Response to a Poem

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Photo by The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Unsplash

A response to Mr.Albergotti’s poem, “Things to do in the belly of the whale.”

First of all, Mr. Albergotti, it was not a whale, it was “a great fish” (Jonah 1:17). And I don’t think Jonah did any of those frivolous things, just to pass the time. Well, perhaps he put notches in the ribs of the creature. Perhaps. But “Organize your calendar. Dream of the beach. Work on your reports?” I don’t think so.

I think Jonah had other things on his mind. Like, how long would God keep him there in that most uncomfortable place? And where was this fish taking him? Did he know he was on his way to Nineveh?

I think he pondered his foolishness. How could he have believed he could run from the almighty God? How could he have believed his disobedience would go unpunished?

He probably did “review each of (his) life’s ten million choices.” He probably realized many of them could have put him here sooner, if not for the grace and mercy of his God, or, perhaps, because of it. I think he prayed, petitioned that God for more of the same. He knew he couldn’t do what God called him to do without grace and mercy.

Jonah prayed a prayer of faith there, in the belly of that fish. He declared God’s faithfulness and knew he would once again worship in His temple. Jonah knew the story wasn’t over yet. He knew he would live; this was just beginning of the story.

But God had more to teach him, because Jonah was, indeed, a foolish man. He did not rejoice when he saw what God did in Nineveh. He was angry. He wanted those wicked people to perish in fire and brimstone.

So God gave him a shade plant and then took it away. When Jonah groaned and wanted God to end his life, God reminded Jonah that He was in control, it was He who created the people of Nineveh and He who created the plant. It was He who would control their destiny. Jonah had no agency in either case, other than to obey.

But God was merciful. He did not take Jonah’s life and though we do not know what happened to him after Nineveh it is safe to assume that God had more for him to do.

Perhaps Jonah finally learned the lesson God was trying to teach him. Perhaps obedience was a bit easier after the lessons he learned in Nineveh. Perhaps not. In either case, God did not give up on him.

God does not give up on any of us. That’s the most powerful lesson in the story of Jonah. Putting him in the belly of a fish was an act of love and grace and mercy. And we can be assured that all of that is poured out on us as well. “Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jeus Christ the Father’s Son, I truth and love” (2 John 1:3).

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Pre-order Flecks of Gold, my next book filled with stories, devotionals and poetry all about the Yukon.

Another Milestone Achieved

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I am so thankful for all those who have supported me and my work. Flecks of Gold is sure now to be published (tentative date is the end of August).

Here’s a short clip about hitting this goal and the next step – https://crowdfundr.com/stories/8NOLka?ref=sh_6CmT8c

I’m Installed!

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Or rather, my poem is!

At the Leighton Arts Centre near Millarville Ab.

My husband and I along with my eldest daughter did a short road trip to see the five poems, including mine, installed on the grounds of the Leighton Arts Centre. If you’ve never been there, you should go! The scenery is gorgeous and the art in the shop … oh my!!

The poems will be on view through the summer and into the fall, until October.

You can admire this view and have a picnic in front of the gallery.

Poetry in The Wild!

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I was thrilled to receive this today –

Words To Wander To Outdoor Installation

in collaboration with Unleash Press

June 6 @ 10:00 am – October 25 @ 4:00 pm

In collaboration with Unleash Press, the Leighton Art Centre is thrilled to present a new installation of land-based writing throughout our breathtaking 80-acre property. Since January, we have welcomed submissions across all genres, each under 300 words, that responded in some way to nature, place, and the environment around us.

This project was created with the intention of encouraging visitors to slow down, explore their natural surroundings, and engage more deeply with both the landscape and the creative works they encounter along the way. By weaving writing into the land itself, the installation invites moments of reflection, curiosity, and connection between art, nature, and community.

After receiving more than 60 submissions, five outstanding works have been selected for installation at the Centre by June 6. The completed project will officially be unveiled during the Leighton Art Centre’s Clothesline Art Market on June 6 & 7, where visitors will be invited to experience the works across the property. Following the launch weekend, the installation will remain available for public viewing throughout the summer season.

We are excited to announce the winners whose works have been selected for installation:

  • “Words to Wonder” by Adele Bright
  • “The Two Bird Feeders” by Kim Hanson
  • “Travelling Mountain Bluebirds” by Kelly Kaur
  • “First Spring” by Marcia Lee Laycock
  • “Seedling” by Arcana Shanks

Only in the Yukon!

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Yesterday I had to fill out a government form that required my driver’s licence number. When I typed it in I got a pop-up telling me my licence had expired. I gasped. I had intended to make a ‘note to self’ about that but totally forgot. Early the next morning I headed to the registry office and presented my licence for renewal. The woman glanced at it and cocked her head.

“Oh,” she said. “You’ve just turned 75.” I nodded. “That means you need a letter from your doctor to certify that you passed the cognitive test and are cleared to drive.”

“Oh,” said. My doctor’s office was on my way home so I stopped in and was relieved that they were able to book me an appointment that afternoon. I had no idea what a cognitive test was and was a bit apprehensive. The nurse who administered it was encouraging and I got through it without any difficulty. I presented my results to the doctor who congratulated me and printed out the form. Back to the registry office and within a few minutes I was legally a driver once again.

This whole procedure made me think of one those “only in the Yukon” stories. I was walking down the boardwalk on the main street of Dawson City one day as the tourist season was just getting under way.

A friend pulled up beside me in a bright orange van and offered me a ride. He had just returned from down south (or “outside” as we Yukoners called it), and he was anxious to get back to work on a construction sight. “But I have a problem,” he said. “I stopped to visit a friend in Calgary on my way up, and somebody stole all my tools. Wanna buy my van?”

I laughed. “Bob, I don’t even know how to drive!”

“No problem! He said. “I’ll teach you! I really need to sell this van so I can buy the tools I need to go back to work. I’ll give you a great deal!”

In the end I felt sorry for him and agreed. We drove to the bank and completed the transaction. Over the next few days Bob gave me driving lessons. The day came when I thought I was ready to take a driver’s test, so I went to the small RCMP office. The constables were not there. I tried again the next day and the next, and the next. There were only two constables in town at that time, so they were almost always out on a call. About a month later I saw one of the constables on the street and told him I really needed to take the driver’s test. I was sitting in the driver’s seat of my van at the time.

He nodded. “Yeah, you do need to do that!” He said. “Come by tomorrow morning.”

The office was, once again, empty but for the receptionist. That went on all summer long. I saw that same constable every now and then and he would always say, “Yeah, come by tomorrow.”

The summer was almost over and I was moving to Whitehorse for the winter. Once again I saw that constable on the street, and told him I really did need to get a licence to drive. Once again he told me to come by the next day. The next day the receptionist shook her head.

The next day I drove to Whitehorse (a six hour drive). I made sure I left early enough to get to the registry office before they closed. I did not know any of the constables in Whitehorse but I was pretty sure they would not be very understanding about me driving without a licence. I passed the test, got the registration and new plates. At last I was legally on the road!

As I said, “Only in the Yukon!”

This may be one of the stories that will be part of my new book, Flecks of Gold. We are now sitting at 37% in the crowdfundr campaign, with 21 days to go. I am SO grateful to all those who have already contributed to helping me see this book become a reality.

When we hit our next milestone ($2,000, which is the half-way point), another draw will be done for a hand-made felted landscape of the Yukon River, made by yours truly. Actually I’ve done 2 feltings of the river, so you’ll get to pick the one you want. Everyone who participates will be entered in the draw.

Crowdfundr link for Flecks of Gold  – Yukon Stories

You’re Invited!

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To my 75th Birthday Zoom Party. Tomorrow! Monday May 4th @ 12:00 noon Mountain Time.

We’ll chat about my new book, Flecks of Gold – Yukon Stories

And we’ll launch the Crowdfundr Campaign.

There will be prizes! And Yukon stories and maybe a poem or two.

Here’s the link to register – if you can’t make it at that time, it will be recorded so be sure to register to get the link.

Birthday Party Link – Marcia’s Yukon Stories: A 75th Birthday Legacy Book by Siretona Creative

Be sure to scroll down to register. You’ll get a notification for the replay.

Hope to see you there!

:)Marcia

An Unusual Rescue

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Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash

An Unusual Rescue

Psalm 118:5

If we had heard a weather forecast, we might have stayed home. It was only about 35 below when we headed to town, but by the time we came out of a meeting, close to midnight, it had dropped to minus 65. Our truck would not start. Neither would the other vehicles parked outside. As I watched from the warmth of the doorway, my husband and a few friends donned some unusual head gear and hovered over the one truck they thought might rise to the occasion.

Their head gear, hats woven of warm Alpaca wool, had tall peaks with tassles on the ends and long tapered ear flaps that bobbed with each step. They made the guys look a lot like Santa’s elves. None of them realized how comical they looked, as they scurried around the truck, trying to get it to start. Someone produced a propane torch to heat the oil pan. Someone else produced a tarp to cover the hood. Then we all huddled in the doorway, hoping for success. We cheered when the motor roared to life before catching on fire! As we crammed into the cab for the trip home, the guys left their hats on, still oblivious to how they looked.

We had only gone a few miles when we saw a faint light. It burned for a few moments, then died. We leaned forward as it appeared again, directly ahead. Our driver slowed down as we got closer. The dim light flashed one more time and we realized it was a truck in the middle of the road. All of us piled out as we pulled to the side to investigate. The truck door opened, and a young woman peered out. Her lips were blue, her bare hands, wrapped around a small kitten, were white with frostbite. She tried to swing her legs out but needed help. When she stood up, her feet, clad only in running shoes, wouldn’t move. As the men lifted her into our warm vehicle, I noticed she looked at them with an odd expression. It wasn’t until later we discovered she thought she was hallucinating. She didn’t expect to be rescued by a band of Santa’s elves!

Psalm 118:5 says – “In my distress I prayed to the Lord and the Lord answered me and rescued me.” Rescue. In the nick of time. If we hadn’t been on the road that night, that young woman would have died. I don’t know if she prayed, but, in desperate situations, most people do. Unfortunately, most of us don’t recognize we are in a desperate place when we are without God. We depend on things like trucks with heaters, refusing to believe they might break down in the worst places at the worst times. We think we are safe when in reality we are on the brink of disaster.

God is in the rescue business, and we all need to be rescued.

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This story is one that will be included in my upcoming book Flecks of Gold, Yukon Stories

I’m very excited to let you all know that the Crowdfundr campaign for the book is now live. This book is a compilation of stories about my personal experiences in the Yukon, with a bit of poetry and fiction thrown in for flavour. The campaign will launch on my birthday, May 4th.

To be notified when it goes live just click the SUBSCRIBE button at the top of the crowdfundr page.

I’m excited about all the perks being offered, including some unique Yukon items.

Thank you in advance for your support!

https://crowdfundr.com/flecksofgold?ref=sh_6CmT8c_ab_4dBWbYqxyKK4dBWbYqxyKK

Devotionals of Distinction Course

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I just went live on Facebook to outline the Devotionals of Distinction Course. We begin April 25th. So looking forward to it! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1QDJ2ECBao/

At The Cross

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Those who mourned most deeply had loved most deeply.

Not all the disciples attended the crucifixion. John was there, the one called “the most beloved,” and Mary Magdalene, the one freed from the torment of demons,

We can frown at the others, call them cowards, shame them for giving in to their fear. But would we do anything different? I fear I would not. I would not want to attend the execution of a man I had followed and honoured for three years, a man I believed was the one who would remove the oppressive yoke of the Romans from my neck and that of my family and friends. I don’t think I could bear it. My sorrow would have been, as I’m sure it was for those disciples, tangled up in fear and disappointment to such an extent that I would withdraw and hide, as they did.

So I have compassion for them. They didn’t understand. Perhaps there were things in their past that prevented them from being there to support Jesus in the midst of his tortuous death. Perhaps they had seen other friends crucified and just couldn’t face watching it again. We don’t know, so judging them puts us in the category of those who show no compassion, no empathy. And since it was Jesus Himself who modelled those behaviours, it would be good to take note and do the same.

Our church has recently started a program called grief share. We gather each week, watch a video about some aspect of grief and then talk about our own experiences. The group is varied, young, old, recently grieved and a couple whose loss was years ago.

It has been good for me to be there, though I have not recently been in that place of loss. Listening to those who have has infused compassion and empathy into me in a way I did not expect, in a way that has changed me. And I am grateful.

Jesus commands us to love in ways that are not always easy. Love your neighbours, even when they’re cranky, love your enemies even when they do despicable things like lie and slander those who are innocent.

There is only one way to obey such commands – rely on Him for the strength and wisdom to do so. Proverbs 3:5 tells us – Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

He will enable us when we open our hearts, minds and souls to His leading.

I wish you all a blessed Easter!

Join the Free 5 Day Easter Devotional Challenge

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Just click the link for all the details. Don’t delay. Enrollment is limited!

Easter’s Call to Action

5-Day Free Writing Challenge

March 27 – April 2, 2026