Like Flowers in the Spring

Through the winter bulbs are hiding in the shelter of the ground,

waiting until spring for their beauty to be found.

The tulips and the daffodils, with the hope they contain,

are filled with a promise that their beauty will remain.

Although they seem quite lifeless while their beauty cannot show,

when spring returns they slowly start to rise, bloom and grow.

We too can have the promise of springtime in each life,

when we can grow and blossom after facing pain and strife.

Although we often suffer, God will lovingly fulfill

His promise to creation that He is faithful still.

As we hold onto the hope, like flowers in the spring,

we will burst forth from our sorrows with a joyful song to sing.

© Connie Arnold

Excerpt of A Symphony of Seasons

 http://conniearnold.webs.com/

A Garden

Did you know April is National Poetry Month? In celebration of that and the joy and beauty of spring I wanted to share this poem with you. Happy Spring!



A garden filled with fragrant flowers,
Surrounded by tall, strong trees,
With leaves fluttering in a soft breeze
Can provide many pleasant hours;
The peaceful sense of beauty it brings
And joy flooding into each part
Satisfies a yearning in my heart,
As my spirit soars and sings.

Enjoying nature’s beauty and rest
With the light of God’s love on my face,
An awareness swells of a special grace,
Recalling the things in life that are best;
As a certainty fills me that all will be right
Since the One who caused all things to be
Created this beauty for you and for me,
And my soul overflows with pure delight!

© Connie Arnold

Spring's Resurrection

 

In spring the resurrection from winter’s cold tomb

Brings new life once again as flowers start to bloom.

All creation sings a joyous song of spring

As renewal of life brings fresh life to everything.

The earth’s crust is cracked by a hidden power,

And what emerges is a stem, leaf and flower.

The icy grave of winter where no life can be seen

Transforms into a vibrant, living carpet of green.

Fresh hope arrives with the springtime air

So our lives that once had seemed lifeless and bare,

Like the earth to which fresh life returns,

Can find the renewal for which the soul yearns.

Spring’s resurrection coincides with Easter too –

All life that has ended God is able to renew.

Christ conquered death, there’s no longer separation,

And we can join in singing the song of creation.

Excerpt from A Symphony of Seasons by Connie Arnold 

Wishing you a wonderful, blessed Easter and beautiful spring!

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway

This post is part of a blog hop with over 250 blogs participating with giveaways. Isn't that exciting?! It runs from April 6 - April 12. The gift I'm offering is a copy of Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace. I am sharing a poem with you from it, "Spring". Leave a comment stating what you enjoy about spring to be entered to win the book. Get an extra entry when you follow this blog by clicking on the follow button to the right. The winner will be announced here on Friday, April 13.

Spring

The stillness and barrenness slowly are passing,

as spring spreads across the earth,

With new life returning, emerging, arising,

a time of renewal and birth.

While creatures awaken and stretch in the light,

fresh shoots push their way through the ground.

The birds sing their songs of joy in the warmth,

and beauty appears all around.

The stark, bare branches and brown grass are changing

to vibrant shades of green,

As leaves fill the trees, growing thicker and fuller,

and new budding stalks can be seen.

While fragrant blooms weave a colorful tapestry,

a splendor that all may share,

The music of life fills each heart and soul,

and rings through the fresh spring air. 

© Connie Arnold

 Be sure to visit the other blogs and enter more giveaways!

Wishing you a beautiful spring and a happy Easter!

A Symphony of Seasons

I'm pleased to share with you that my new poetry book, A Symphony of Seasons, is being published by RPJ & Company and is now available to pre-order! It has themes of music and the seasons, like a symphony with various movements, harmoniously weaving together through the cycle of the seasons.

Below is an excerpt I hope you will enjoy. I'd love to know how you like the cover. It was designed through the creative, artistic, detailed diligence of Kathleen Schubitz and the photos are by Gary Strader.

A Garden in Spring
 

Walking through a garden in spring
Delights the soul and makes it sing
As the silent beauty offers me
A peaceful sense of serenity,
Such joy a spring garden can bring!

As heightened awareness slowly swells,
Loving peace within me wells.

My heart and soul overflow and rejoice
When the whisper of a still, small voice
The wonder of creation tells.

To order a copy of A Symphony of Seasons and save $3 see Sharing Blessings.

I'm planning a blog book tour for early May. If anyone would like to host one of the stops with a review, interview or guest post, please let me know. Thank you!

As Winter Comes to an End

 

As icicles on the branches cling,

We await the coming of spring,

When life returns to everything

With the hope that it can bring.

Although the trees are stark and bare,

And there is a nip to the icy air,

We know it soon will be time to prepare

For trees filled with buds and flowers fair.

When winter ends, it seems to me,

The lifelessness which I now see

Evolves into what soon will be

A blooming flower and budding tree.

The cycle of life once again goes by

As life that had seemed before to die

Is warmed by the sun in a bright spring sky

To trigger new growth where sleeping things lie.

Once more we too can bask in this light,

Enjoying the warmth of a day that is bright,

As renewal of life fills us with delight

That God’s plan for creation is so perfectly right!

(c) Connie Arnold

Visit my website Sharing Blessings to find out how to get a free book!