Beauty in the Desert

The other day I visited Picacho Peak State Park. As I was driving home it occurred to me how amazing it was that there were these beautiful flowers in the desert. Most people think ugly, dry, dead when they think desert. But God puts beauty everywhere. So it is with our lives. Even when our life feels like a “desert” when we are going through trials, God does put beauty and blessings in our lives. We just have to look for it amid the dirt, weeds and dryness. 

Sacrifice

Sacrifice. This topic has been on my mind. So, I've been studying it in my Gospel study. This morning I came across a definition of it I really like:

"To sacrifice is to give up something valuable or precious, often with the intent of accomplishing a greater purpose or goal." (lds.org)

Also,

"To sacrifice is to give up something good for something better." (unknown). LOVE that.

This reminds me of a picture I saw. I won't post it due to possible copyright issues. But, you can Google it. :) It is of a little girl holding a small teddy bear. God is holding out a hand to ask her to give the teddy bear to Him. She says, "But I love it." He says, "Trust me." Behind his back in the other hand is a bigger teddy bear.

I've had a lesson with sacrifice lately. I feel like God is asking me to give up something I really like. But I can't see the bigger teddy bear yet. And that is hard. I suppose that is where faith comes in. Faith and sacrifice are closely linked.

Waiting

This Beautiful World

1. 1. Whenever I hear the song of a bird
   Or look at the blue, blue sky,
   Whenever I feel the rain on my face
   Or the wind as it rushes by,
   Whenever I touch a velvet rose
   Or walk by our lilac tree,
   I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
   Heav'nly Father created for me.
2. 2. He gave me my eyes that I might see
   The color of butterfly wings.
   He gave me my ears that I might hear
   The magical sound of things.
   He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
   I thank him rev'rently
   For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
   Yes, I know Heav'nly Father loves me.
3. Words and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904-1997. (c) 1961 IRI. Arr. (c) 1989 IRI
   
   
   This is how I am feeling today. Heavenly Father's love is all around us.