My mom always told me there are things God teaches us in the desert that we cannot learn anywhere else. I didn’t believe it at first, but now I know it to be true. I learn so much from the physical desert I live in, but my favorite lessons have been seeing the heartiness of the creation that grows in the desolate places. Usually we picture deserts as brown and ugly and sharp, but if you look closely, you will see every color of the rainbow and more soft edges than expected. During a recent day trip to Utah, I caught some of God’s beautiful masterpieces bursting out of rocks and dried earth.
Check out this cute little patch of flowers growing on top of a boulder,
And this beautiful Indian Paintbrush poking out of a dead bush. A little ladybug crawled on my hand as I went to touch this one.
The state flower of Nevada stood proudly in Utah also:
There were others I didn’t take pictures of, but won’t forget their vibrant colors. White, yellow, orange, pink, and purple. Who says the desert is ugly?
This little sweetheart was my favorite. All alone, blooming beautifully out of the dead, dry ground. She is a shining example of strength.
No one is tending to this little flower except God alone. It reminds me not to give up. I can survive the heat and wind and drought if I let God be the one who sustains me. Too often I am expecting the world to take care of me and notice me and offer me the support and encouragement I should be expecting from God. This verse is another reminder and offers a ton of counsel:
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
That’s a verse worthy of reading very slowly. And repeatedly. Grace. Love. Eternal comfort. Good hope. Encouragement. Strength. In EVERY good word and deed. Wow.
I pray you find what you need today from the only One who can truly provide. Offer your heart to Him today. Call upon His name. Pray this verse, slowly and repeatedly if necessary.
INTERTWINED 
I love that scripture and those pictures are amazing! Grace Xx
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Dear Becca, this is my favorite one thus far, of course! To be reminded of my beloved Desert brought back a flood of wonderful memories.Remember the night you,Lisa and I drove out Red Rock to see the stars at midnight..? And I had forgot that I had placed my glass of Coca Cola on the roof of the car, which crashed to the pavement at the first curve. We thought we had been shot at! Then you’re valedictorian speech on “Streams in the Desert “. Seeing an olive tree for the very first time, wondering what all those black things were in our driveway. And the smell, the intoxicating smell of the desert after a rain. As Howard Hughes once said”there’s nothing like the smell of the desert after a rain”. Thank you for reminding me…Mom
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