The beautiful San Gabriel Mountains were before me. I loved to look at them as I took my daily morning meditative walks in the Mojave Desert of California. As the early morning sun cast its shadows on the mountains, they were a picture of the unique artistry. Though they were almost 20 miles away, they seemed so close. They were rugged, indomitable, challenging, with their own style of beauty. They were especially
intriguing when the winter snow clouds hovered over them and dropped its heavy cargo of virtuous snow, draping them as a mantle of ermine. These mountains then became a skier’s paradise. The operation of a sky lodge is a lucrative business in those special months. We loved to drive up the mountain just to be baptized with a breathtaking experience of virgin beauty. The mountains seemed to me a mighty, powerful manifestation of God’s creative genius.
I had been warned about walking in the desert alone. I had seen pictures of sidewinders, which are a small pale colored desert rattlesnake, but it was purported to be nocturnal creature. I had also heard stories of wild dogs, which foraged for food there. Yet my love of walking, talking, and listening to the Lord greatly outweighed any fear of danger.
The trails were narrow and winding, the bushes stubby, the sand plentiful. I passed numerous Joshua trees in this particular part of the desert. The Joshua tree has been awarded special protection in this region, it is against the law to damage, destroy, or remove them from your property. There were multiple types of cacti and many greasewood shrubs. Once I had seen jackrabbits jump right out in front of me. Another day prairie chickens scattered and flew by me. On one occasion, I even saw another person walking the trails, but usually I was alone except for my guardian Angel. As I walked, I found great comfort in talking to the Lord, in my normal voice, just as if I were talking to any other friend at my side. This day was as routine as any other. I was
on my way back to our house, probably 10-15 minutes away, when I sensed that I was not alone. I looked around to find that I was only a few feet away from a wild dog. He wore a coat of tan, his ears stood tall; his black eyes were focused and piercing. Our eyes met and for a few moments, each of us stood motionless. I sensed I was to be very quiet. And then, after what seemed like minutes, in reality only seconds, I gradually and quietly started walking in the direction of
home. I did not look back until I was almost there, and I saw him no more. I thanked God for His protection. Day after day, I continued to walk because of the inspiration and comfort I received from my special time with the Lord, but I was never again sensitive to any potential danger.
The lonely desert seems to deny the existence of vibrant life, such as lush green fields and trees like those in other parts of the country. However, the secretive subterranean waterways constantly flowing under that sea of sand, nourishes the shrubs, the desert flowers in the spring, the sage, the Russian thistle (when it dries it becomes Tumbleweed) and all the other vegetation native to that terrain. Each part of the world has its own unique beauty, but I am most drawn to the beautiful desert. The solitude and quietness of the desert enriches my concentration, refreshes my spirit and reminds me to ….be still and know that He is God.
