Bloom Where You’re Planted

Isaiah 43:18-19 But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland (NLT).

Wilderness and wasteland? New Mexico has its share. My husband, youngest daughter, and I moved to the desert ten years ago from Nashville, Tennessee. Left the green for brown. But New Mexico has great beauty. Mountains, red rocks, plenty of sunshine, blue skies, low humidity, and awesome sunrises and sunsets. The southwest has grown on me.

Although I miss our two adult children and three grandchildren, I enjoy reaching out to others. The Lord has given me opportunities to mentor a few younger people. To encourage, befriend, support, and pray for them during tough times. I guess I’m a professional mom at heart. God gave me family to love and care for while away from my own. He’s led me to walk alongside a few of His children where I work. My desire—to show them the love and acceptance of God.

Soon I plan to retire. I hope to stay in touch with several coworkers including friends and women who meet with me every week during our lunch hour for a Bible study. We enjoy sharing and studying God’s Word. A mid-week time of refreshing.  

I, too, have a mentor. She’s a friend who’s encouraged me to write. Something I’d thought about, even dreamed of doing one day, but her persistent nudge moved me forward. Besides my blogs, I’ve completed my first novel and started on more. I write and wait for God to move in His will, way, and time. During the wait, I believe God’s equipped me to bloom where He’s planted me. Here in the desert. One person or blog at a time.

Where has God planted you? Perhaps you’re a tree in a forest reaching hundreds or thousands. Or maybe you’re like me—a bloom in the desert. Wherever God has you, He wants to use you to take someone by the hand and show them the way to the cross and a deeper relationship with Him.

Beautiful New Mexico

New Mexico offers bountiful beauty. My husband, Kenn, and I travel New Mexico often. We moved to Albuquerque ten years ago from Tennessee and explore this amazing state whenever possible. This past weekend we visited the Gila National Forest. The Gila covers 3.3 million acres of land which makes it the largest national forest in New Mexico and one of the largest in the United States.

Our first stop in the forest took us to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The Mogollon people built over forty rooms in a set of five caves in the 1280’s, but it is believed they only lived in them until 1300. They left for unknown reasons. The trail is a one-mile loop—rather steep and rocky. We were told no food was allowed in the caves because food attracts rats. If rats dig holes beneath the rooms, the rooms will deteriorate.

Our final stop took us to Whitewater Canyon and the Catwalk Trail. We walked along a metal path attached to the cliffs of the canyon. The walkway suspended twenty feet above a crystal-clear stream. The rushing hum of whitewater below, flowing over the rocks, made for a peaceful morning. The multi colors within the canyon cliffs added to the natural beauty abounding in God’s creation.

While in the forest, we saw a javelina (often mistaken for a wild boar), a few deer, tiny lizards along with one medium-sized lizard, and a hawk.

For a few photos of our trip to the Gila please visit my Photos page.