Monday Meditation – Deserts - 6/12/2023

Last week I talked about rain, so I guess it is apropos that this week I talk about the desert. I’ve been to a few different deserts during my lifetime, and they certainly are dry! The Sahara has pretty much only sand for miles and miles, with an occasional oasis here and there. Several years ago I was blessed to enjoy dinner at such an oasis and then ride a camel over the scorching sand to watch the sun set over the dunes! Beauty can be found even in the desert.

The desert that I have been to most often is the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Surprisingly, that desert has a lot of life – I have seen thousands of the tall saguaro cacti, lots of mesquite trees and various forms of brush. Snakes and scorpions make their home in the desert, as do rabbits and many birds.

It’s a different kind of life in the desert compared to Minnesota. Water must be conserved, and you can go for miles without seeing any significant shade. I give lots of credit to the native Americans who live in the desert. I don’t think I’d want to be caught out in the desert alone!

In looking at my life, I have mostly experienced lush times. I have been blessed with many good things in my life. But I have definitely gone through some desert times. When my first marriage failed I had several lean years as I struggled to provide for my two young sons and myself. My diagnosis in 2010 of a tumor in my spinal column set me back too. Thankfully that tumor was not cancerous, but I spent a lonely six weeks in recovery from my surgery.

These desert experiences have helped me, though. I believe God planned them for me so that I could grow. Each time, I reviewed my life to determine what my real priorities should be. I made some changes to my life as a result of those desert times, and I believe the changes were positive. I realized work was not everything, and time with family and friends became most important.

Are you experiencing a desert time in your life? If so, please continue pressing through. God will likely have a blessing in each desert experience for you – you may just need to be patient to find it.

Have a blessed Monday!

Faye

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