thankful thursday - rest & refuge

Sometimes I get tired. Not just sleepy or tired from working hard. It goes beyond physically fatigued to emotionally tired... and spiritually tired. Does that happen to you? I think it happens to all of us once in awhile.

I was feeling that way a couple of weeks ago right before my sweet hubby and I were scheduled for a long weekend away. Just the two of us. In the middle of nowhere. Well, technically in the middle of the Mohave Desert. What perfect timing! In fact, you might say it was God-timing!

We have driven past the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) at lightening speed on our way to California at least 75 times and never stopped, always thinking we'd do it another time. We finally made it our destination for our long weekend away. Now I wonder what we were waiting for!

JTNP is one of the lesser crowded national parks with roughly 2 million visitors annually (compared to over 5 million visitors at Grand Canyon National Park!). Located in southern California where the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts meet, it is hot during the summer and cold during the winter making spring and fall the ideal times to visit. Since we went in the spring, I was expecting crowds. There were lots of people - but the park is a big place. There were two times we were in the midst of a lot of people - at Skull Rock (Thankful Thursday - Traveling Humor) and on a trail that started in a campground. Otherwise, we were on our own.

It was a beautiful spring weekend when we visited - not too warm with a slight breeze. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to be outside. We walked along vista points, turnouts on the road (although, to be honest, there aren't many of either) and in fields alongside the road. There was so much to see!

Every turn in the road revealed a different field - some were fields of cholla and yucca, some were fields of rocks, and some were fields of flowers (Thankful Thursday - Spring). Everywhere we looked. there was something new to see! It was quiet and calm. 

We hiked along a trail that led back to a palm canyon. It was mind-boggling to walk from the sunny, brown desert back into a lush, green, shady niche in just a few steps! There were birds chirping and we saw a bunny. It was peaceful and soothing.

After spending a day and a half exploring the park - being outside alone with our thoughts, spending time together and recharging our batteries - we noticed we were more rested physically and emotionally. It is impossible to be immersed in nature and not see the majestic hand of God - His infinite power and artistic flair and, yes, even His sense of humor.

I am thankful for periods of rest and places of refuge and that God restores, renews and recharges me.