Isaiah 35:6b-7

^6b Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert. ⁷ The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow

Today was the kind of beautiful today that reminds me of what resurrection, renewal, is all about. As winter comes to a close, spring begins. And did it ever begin today! The grey disappeared, the sun came out and the earth warmed up. Everyone was out and about enjoying the beauty of the day - smiling because of the sunshine.

And today was a day when we could finally go to the outlet mall and buy some much needed clothing supplies. It had been way too long, and for a moment, our financial desert was gushing with new blessings. My husband and I actually felt "human" again!

In the midst of deserts, it is hard to imagine there is anything beyond the dry, parched air, burning sand - unpleasant sensations all around. But there are, even in the desert, those rare moments when water is found; life springs forth again in unexpected ways. It is something to celebrate.

Today I am thankful for life's deserts; without them, I would never fully appreciate the rain that comes, nor the flowers that appear. Today I am thankful for Lent; without it, there would be no Easter - no Resurrection to celebrate.