In the Arizona desert, or any desert, one can expect to see sand – lots of it. And yes, it’s here. However, from my vantage point at the kitchen table, I can see green! My friends , who own this home, have planted and nurtured quite a number of spreading Palo Verde trees and numerous cacti, and have made their back yard into a desert paradise. Since Kenny is a collector of things, there’s even a covered wagon (minus the cover) a backyard fire pit for enjoying evenings with friends, an old rusty scooter, rocks of all sizes, and have turned what could’ve been rather unattractive, into a bit of a desert oasis.

Of course, wherever there is soil of some sort, some weeds must grow. That’s the green I am seeing as I look out of this windowed door. It’s interesting that with my grandfather’s very thick British accent, he would say, “Too much of ‘ought’ is good for nought.” (Which, translated, means too much of anything is good for nothing). “The green I can see are weeds? Where did they come from?” I ask. And their reply is, “Who knows?”

I am reminded of an old saying, Into each life some rain must fall, and the poem that states: God hath not promised skies always blue, flower strewn pathways all our lives through. So, even though my friends are used to the green of New England, this green is annoying. The ground cover requires constant attention, as it can become three feet tall! It’s a back-breaking job to pull weeds, so they have to pay someone to do the arduous work.

However, just as we have to take the bad (weeds) with the good because it’s just the way life goes, we are assured of our Father’s watch care, love and protection, weeds and all, He will pull us out of the dirty sand of our lives and create beauty where there were just weeds.

I am reminded of something I read just this morning in Donna’s Women’s Devotional Bible. It was written by a blind, eight year old girl – Fanny Crosby, also the writer of over 9000 hymn lyrics. Pg.1330

Oh what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be;
How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don’t!
To weep and sigh because I’m blind,
I cannot, and I won’t.