The following comes from WITH THANKS. For more information (click here). You can subscribe to this series - at checkout, enter discount code: TOP25 to receive 25% off the purchase price.

At times it feels like you are on the moon when you are driving through the Badlands of South Dakota. The ever-eroding landscape is full of barren peaks and valleys filled with sand, silt, and clay. You have to look at the edges of this 'other-worldly' place to see trees and waterways.

The high plateau where Bison graze contain the only real shades of green. There the tops of grass dance with the wind in a timeless enchantment.

On one of my trips to this favored park, I was surprised to see a Sunflower in the most unexpected of places. It wasn’t on the grazing plate of the Bison. Instead, this flower was in the midst of the dry and life-less clay. It wasn't big, like the commercially grown varieties. Somehow, its hardy seed landed on the hard surface of the parched earth. Perhaps it fell into a crack and waited for the infrequent visit of rain.

Spring comes even to dry places. When the water falls from the sky, it rushes quickly over the land hardened by the sun. This dangerous torrent cuts new paths, contributing to the erosion that needs no assistance.

It also finds its way into the crevices where patient seeds lay in hope.

With water, these seeds bloom and reach towards the baking sun. For a moment, the desert blooms. In many places, suddenly, there is growth and green.

As I delighted in the sight of a single sunflower, my eyes opened to see others. I felt privileged to be surrounded by spring in a place where I had only known the absence of green life. It came as an unexpected gift and a new experience. Even in badlands, flowers bloom. Thanks be to God!

Prayer:

Gracious God,

you water the desert and cause flowers to bloom in the most hostile of places. Seep into the deepest places of my being with your love. Allow my spirit to grow large enough to break through layers of my indecision, inaction, biases, and resistance. Blossom in me, so that I might reflect your life to those I encounter this day.

Through Christ, Amen.