Cactus Community

Published by christi on January 16, 2020January 16, 2020

By this we know love, that He laid down his life for us;

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

–I John 3:16

It was a bright, chilly morning near the base of Cat Peaks in Usery Park. Fifteen or so of us had made our way out to the desert for a morning of listening to the voice of God — however He has wired us to perceive it. Here is an excerpt from my journal entry that morning.

Staghorn cholla spiny red in the sun  — morning

Summer’s death overtaken by winter’s life  —  renewal

Flat-padded pricklies . . .

Striped saguaro cylinders . . .

Hedgehog hugs . . .

Jojoba’s smooth leaves  —  community

Saw-toothed Mormon tea

Brittlebush beginnings

Dry stalk of last spring quivers at the wind’s touch.

Tiny blade new sprung softens gravel ground.

Dawn’s birds quiet now (What are they waiting for?),

Make my heart quiet, too.

(It is easy to get lost in the writing and forget to Whom I write…)

     Each plant designed by You with its own survival strategy, contribution to the ecosystem, life-span, toughness or tenderness  —  what a marvelous Creator You are! Seventy-five years to first arm or seventy-five days from seed sprout to fruit drop, You have determined the life-span.

     Forgive and transform my irritation with others in my community who are designed differently: tender grass to my prickly pear, and give the “everybody-should-be-a-jojoba” grace for me.

Show me how to soothe the wounds I have inflicted. Heal and restore.

The challenge of living in a faith community on any level is just that: the diversity that makes us a reflection of our multi-faceted God challenges us with the need to look to Him for the ability to live in unity.  To live together in unity we must lay down our lives for each other, demonstrating, as Jesus did, love.

Over the next few weeks I will be exploring with my readers what it means to lay down one’s life in the everyday as we follow Jesus…every day.

Following Jesus every day in the everyday,

Christi

P.S. If you ordered a Frugal Cooking Guide, please message me directly at christi@grainofwheat.co