One of my big concerns in moving to Phoenix is the loss of the lush Florida flora...the green, the colors, the jungle, the fruits from my trees...and the fauna....the ducks, water birds, iguanas, squirrels, and other visitors to my back yard. I've lived in Phoenix before for seven years before my husband died and I know the monotone landscape that is everywhere except where thoughtful gardeners have planted trees, and fought the summer heat to keep their grass and shrubs alive.
And then I remember my mother's patio garden which she started each January when she and Daddy came to their home in Sun City to escape the Denver winter each year. She filled at least a dozen huge pots with soil and fertilizer and petunias, begonias, allisum, and so many other plants I can't name and nurtured them until they spilled out like waterfalls. Then she teased and fed her roses and other perenials into full bloom in just a few weeks, it seemed, while all the neighbors came down to oooh and aaaah. It was truly the desert in bloom.
Then about a week ago during my quiet time in the morning, I heard the Lord speaking to my heart that He is taking me back to the desert where I will experience the desert in bloom! And just to confirm it (I wasn't really sure if that message wasn't just hopeful thinking), that evening as I got into bed and picked up Richard Brooks' commentary on the Song of Songs, I saw it again! I usually only get a page read before I nod off, but this time I chuckled....knowing my Bridegroom was turning my doubts into certainty.... a lovely good-night bouquet of love.
Brooks was refering to Song of Songs 2: 1-2 where the Lover calls Himself the rose of Sharon, and His beloved replys that she is a "lily amongst the thorns". Brooks was linking this to a beautiful prophecy of Isaiah's about Israel, which also speaks to us each individually.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the LORD,
the majesty of our God.
(Isaiah 35:1-2 ESV)".
So I went to sleep that night and since with a true assurance that this move will not be to a drab monotone but to a blooming desert....which is the most unusual and exotic scene you can imagine... with all the cacti sprouting brilliantly colored flower bonnets. I can't wait to experience what all that means. But I'll be telling you......just as soon as I can get past this giant chore of moving. I hope to keep writing weekly, but forgive me if I miss once in a while until I get set up again there.
