The evening sunset filtered through dry, stick-like trees painted a picture reminiscent of the Sahara Desert. The thermometer hovered around 82 degrees today. In February. The record for today~85. Just two weeks ago, the temperature plummeted to 18 degrees at night~one degree away from the recorded low in the 1800s. With extreme cold and high temperatures and no rain, we are dry.

     Yet in the midst of this desert, the Lord God has given us a reason to rejoice. He has made the sky his palette once more, filling it with crayon colors of raspberry, peach, salmon and pale orange.

     This photo demonstrates how the Lord works in our lives. Trials will come, and the burdens seem grave. We trudge through the pain just pleading with the Lord to change our circumstances, change our lives, change those around us, change us–just get us out of this pit. And, then, while we are wallowing in the mud pit, He comes to meet us. He offers a hand to rest in, a heart to lean against, the comfort of His embrace, friends to encourage us. But so typical of the Lord, He offers us a gift~an unexpected blessing in the middle of our slime and gunk. A blessing that brings hope, light, peace, and an assurance that He is still with us and loves us.

     “During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 29:5 &6 NIV

     Where do you see the Lord in the midst of your trial?