New Life From Old

While we were in the mountainous region above Banning, which I spoke of in my last post, we came upon what remained after a recent wildfire. From a distance, the area looked, charred, desolate, devoid of anything good or life sustaining.

As we approached, I meditated on how life’s trials can leave us charred, alone, wasting away for want of that certain something that will renew our souls.

Then I walked among the burned relics, the charred bushes, the melted debris left behind earlier by litterbugs.

And this is what I found, life striving to survive despite all odds. The char was falling away to reveal glowing, vibrant branches beneath.

I was awestruck, speechless. The beauty I found in the midst of this destruction astounded and refreshed my soul.

Thank You, Lord, for all Your lessons and Your grace. Amen.

Love,

Jenni and Ken

More Wildfires

Last week we finished our rounds, visiting the rest of the friends and family who live in the greater Sacramento area, before heading for Southern California. In the end, we did miss a few dear people whose schedules just could not be helped. When we were available, they were not, and vise versa. It is an unfortunate fact of life, that everyone’s lives are so very busy nowadays that time with loved ones falls by the wayside.

Our lives, like the dry California climate, become prone to wildfires, figuratively, of one sort or another.

As we were visiting with Ken’s cousins, in Walnut Creek, a fire broke out on Mount Diablo. Here’s some pictures we took on our way home that evening.

Even destruction can be beautiful, when viewed from afar. The sun was an intense ball of fire, and these pictures do not do it justice.

Love,

Jenni