The desert will bloom!

That’s the theme for the Lent series of emails that I’m receiving from Brian Draper. The title comes from the book of Isaiah, and we are thinking about entering a ‘wilderness’ space for the next few weeks.

"The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy."

Isaiah 35: 1-2

Clearly the rich soil of the garden in which these crocuses are planted, which Smithers and I pass on our daily walk, is far removed from being a desert or wilderness! Nevertheless the crocuses are a daily reminder to me of our Lent topic, which I find very helpful. 

Today’s Lent email spoke of learning to pause our over-active minds for a short time each day and just be still, to switch off from all our physical and mental busyness and give our minds a short time of rest and refreshment, inviting God into the space and enjoying His presence and the renewal and peace it brings.