Sunday, August 1, 2010

Seasons of Humility

Following is the inspiration for the title of this blog: a poem I wrote called "Seasons of Humility." This poem is near and dear to my heart, one that I wrote the fall semester of my first year of college. May the Lord use it to encourage you and remind you of His Presence throughout all of our seasons of humility.

Seasons of Humility
By Amber Stokes

All that remains of a broken dream:
Shattered leaves strewn on the ground.
Once so whole, so vibrant, so green,
Faintly glowing without a sound
As darkness surrounds.

Just dead gold and red left on the tracks
And flying by the window in the wind.
Words that say, "No more lookin' back,"
But turn around and it's there again:
A plea to send.

Oh! The autumn ends so painfully;
Winter months last so very long.
Yet through it all, a Presence beside me:
Comforting, enduring, and strong,
Above the wrong.

Spring comes again; new trust blooms forth.
Bright blossoms grow from rain and tears:
A reminder of the journey's worth.
In the humble cycle of holy fear,
God is near.

8 comments:

Bluerose said...

You are so talented!!!!!!!! That poem is amazing!If I had this poem during my teen, early 20s, it would have been one that I kept with me! (Although, I can still apply this to my life now and it will go in my inspiration binder). Poems(2nd to God and prayer) really helped and continue to help me through tough times.
I don't know when you wrote this one, but I can see myself so much with the struggles I had at college in your words. God's plan is so wonderful! I look back at what might have been, and I'm nothing but grateful that I'm exactly where I am right now. I cried so many tears because I wasn't getting what I wanted, but God had so much more waiting for me. This poem would have been a great reminder back then. :)
I can't wait for you to get published. There's not a doubt in my mind that I won't be reading one of your books soon!

Amber Holcomb said...

Bluerose,

Thank you so much! May God get all the glory--He is so good, and He never gives up on us! I'm so glad you feel like you can still apply this to your life, and I hope the poem is an encouragement to you. :)

A couple of these images in the poem were ones I had really seen, and ones that stuck with me. And the lesson really is one I have to keep on learning, because I have to remember that what God has planned for me is far better than what I could plan for my life! I think it's true that college is kind of a wake-up call to trust in God. Right now, I need to remember that He knows the future, even if I have no idea where exactly I'm going! ;)

Thank you again for your encouraging words! I sincerely hope that if it's God's will you'll be able to read one of my books soon! :) I so appreciate your support!

~Amber

Casey said...

Amber, that is beautiful! I must admit I don't like poetry, I just don't get into it, but this one..... wow! Beautiful, beautiful, thank you SO much for sharing!!!

Amber Holcomb said...

Thank you, Casey! Some poetry can be rather hard to get into, but I'm so glad you liked this one! :) I rather love poetry, and I usually end up writing ones for my family for special occasions. This one really came from my heart, so I hope it encourages yours!

~Amber

Julia M. Reffner said...

Oh, Amber. I'm so glad you shared this. I haven't written much poetry lately, but I think you've inspired me to give it a try again. I think poetry is an emotional outlet in a way no other form really can be.

I'm so glad to have met you through the "internet", Amber. Your beautiful heart shines through your poem.

Amber Holcomb said...

Julia,

Thank you! :) I would love to read some of your poetry--let me know if you ever put some on your blog! I agree that poetry is a unique emotional outlet, and I love it so much. It's a special form of writing, to be sure.

You have no idea how glad I am to have "met" you, as well! Thank you for your kindness and encouragement! Isn't it wonderful that God uses us to reach out and bless each other? :)

~Amber

Amanda Stanley said...

Oh Amber, that poem is BEAUTIFUL!!! You never cease to bless and inspire me with your writing :) My favorite line was "In the humble cycle of holy fear"- WOW, what a powerful picture that creates!

I have always enjoyed poetry, but it was Martha Snell Nicholson who inspired a tue love in me for it. I had to memorize a couple of her poems in high school and they will be forever engraved upon my heart. My favorite of hers is "My Advocate"- if you haven't read it and would like to, let me know and I'll email it to you :)

Gosh, writing poetry is one of my favorite things! It's a very personal form of writing, a spilling forth of one's heart. And I find when a poem is centered around Christ, it flows in a divine sort of way, almost like a Psalm :) I love incorporating scripture in them, too!

Amber, your poem has blessed me so very much! I can't thank you enough for sharing it, my friend :) You have an incredible gift that the Lord is shaping, molding, and sharpening for His glory and the edifying of His people. Praying He will continue to inspire you and encourage you on your writing journey!! Can't wait to see what he has in store for you :D

Blessings,
Amanda Stanley

Amber Holcomb said...

Amanda,

Thank you so much! :) I was definitely ispired to write this poem, and I hope it's pleasing to the Lord and that He uses it for His glory!

I would love to read that poem--it sounds familiar, but I don't know if I'm thinking of the same one. If you wanted to e-mail it to me, that would be great! My e-mail address is:

stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

I love writing poetry, as well! Often it does come from the heart, and it allows the writer to make connections between what they see and what they feel, if that makes sense. :)

Thank you again for your kind words, and I'm so glad we're friends! :D You encourage me more than you can know, and I look forward to reading your comments whenever you stop by! They always bless me!

~Amber