By Carole Brown
Throughout January, February
and March I’ve read a lot of complaints about the weather and probably made a
few myself. Too, too cold. Too much
snow. Too gloomy. Too cloudy. I wish the sun would shine. I wish the rain would
go away . . . The snow would quit . . . The clouds would vanish.
Good news. Spring is here!
Rain, yes, but an encouraging rain--it’s APRIL, after all! You know the old
saying: April showers bring May flowers. And sometimes we get a few of those
glories in April too.
What are a few things we can
learn and embody from spring flowers? Let’s see:
Apple blossoms: Promise.
Apple blossoms: Promise.
This is a good one. Read the
scriptures and find (if you don’t already have one) a promise for this spring
throughout summer and the rest of the year--for you. Promise yourself some new
attitude, some new adventure, that new idea--the beginning of a book started.
Promise yourself to be more appreciative of everyday, which may not always be
good, BUT there’s ALWAYS something good in that day. Draw comfort and peace
from that.
Crocus: Foresight
One definition for the word “foresight”
is giving careful thought for the future. It does us good to check on our heart
now and then. Not physically, but spiritually. Do we still prize our relationship
with God more than anything? Do we love to spend time reading His word to us,
communing with him?
Do we also have the foresight
to realize that that book won’t get written without at the least a few words a
day typed? Do we advance our work by researching, plotting, or sharing with our
critique groups?
ŸViolet: Faithfulness.
Stay by the stuff. In other
words, be true and faithful to God, of course, but to your family and your
friends. Cherish every moment. Treasure the little things as well as the big. A
child brought you a dandelion? Take a picture of you, the child and the flower.
It will mean the world to the child and satisfaction to you. Someone shared a
smile with you? Return the smile. Your father told the same joke again? Realize
that small annoyances now will be precious memories someday. Shut your eyes and
relish his voice and appreciate the effort he made to bring laughter to his
loved ones’ hearts.
Most of all, be faithful to
YOU! Don’t take on too much. Learn to say no, but always be willing to do what
you can faithfully perform. Whatever God has asked you to do, do it with all
your might and ability. Rest. Relax. Be strong.
Star of Bethlehem: Hope
I love these small but
beautiful star-shaped flowers. They do indeed give off the essence of hope.
Hope for the day, right now. Hope for the future, tomorrow. Hope that breeds
faith that I will stay close to my God. That I will continue to work diligently
toward my goals. Don’t lose hope, but hold tight to that which you have and
allow yourself to cling to a hope that Spring and the flowers share with us
every year.
See what else bloomed in Carole's garden. A spy Triology!
Brown not only has her award
winning (RWA International Digital Award finalist, Clash of the Titles Laurel
Awards finalist, Selah finalist; Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel, The
Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, available for purchase now, but a companion
book called West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman,
filled with tidbits of information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from
West Virginia and from Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for
the novel.
November, 2013, the first
book in her mystery series, Hog Insane, released. It’s a fun,
lighthearted novel introducing the characters, Denton and Alex Davies.
Releasing November, 2014, is
the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense series: With Music In Their
Hearts. Three red-headed sisters. Three spies. Three stories.
Besides being a member and
active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring
beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books,
along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for
outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but
have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they
enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and
did she mention their grandsons?
Connect with her here:
Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Carole also is part of several
other blogs:
Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/
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