The author at Tonto National Monument—a selfie
Here I sit, nearly to the ancient cliff dwellings that we have come to view. As I wait for the needed last bust of energy my thoughts turn to cactus.
When we arrived in Arizona two weeks ago I had no particular thoughts about cactus. But I have learned a lot about this plant, its many varieties, and the unique features of this intriguing creation. But that is not what I am contemplating at the moment.
I look around and attempt to count the cacti that I see before me. I survey the Tonto National Monument where I sit far above the highway and Roosevelt Lake. It would be senseless to try to count even one variety—for example the Saguaro. So I make a low-ball estimate of 1000 in this park. But Arizona is huge, and the Saguaro, a protected species, are seemingly everywhere. (That is, of course, not true. There are no Saguaro on top of Mount Lemmon. It is the wrong ecosystem for them. And we did travel routes where there were few to no Saguaro. But this is not where my mind turns on this beautiful day.)
After considering the number of Saguaro within my sight I wonder how many there might be in Arizona!
Once again my thoughts turn a corner as Psalm 147:4, NKJV, come to mind: He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
If God knows the number and names of all the stars, even those not yet discovered, does he not also know the number and names of all the cacti?
And doesn’t he also know the number and names of all the people on earth…including me, including you?
I sit a little longer, contemplating a God who is so far beyond us yet still knows and cares for us. After a time of worship, I get up and move on to the cliff dwellings, my strength renewed.
Go in joy,
Ginger
If you click on the featured image with all the cacti in it, you will get a better view of the cliff dwellings at the Tonto National Monument. We were free to tour the ruins. There are many wonderful geological and historic sites in central and southern Arizona that are worth exploring, including the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Montezuma Well, and Montezuma Castle.
I enjoyed these ruins so much I put them in my book, Danger at Haunted Canyon, Ginger. I’ll never forget the way the setting sun shining through the saguaro spines gave them each a halo.
Joan, I can jut see you scrambling up that path to the ruins and finding a way to incorporate what you saw into your book. I love your sense of adventure and the way you share God’s wonders with others.
Ginger
Hi Ginger, I recognized right away that you were writing about Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. When we lived out in Colorado (before Brian’s death), we visited them. I have several photos of the children, 2 and 3, climbing the ladders from one level to another
Kathy, thanks for your comment. I remember seeing Mesa Verde when my family was traveling through the western states, and I loved it.So when we found cliff dwellings in Arizona on our recent trip we were delighted. They were small in comparison to Mesa Verde but still fascinating. We went to three sites where we saw the cliff dwellings, one of which we climbed up to and explored part of.
Ginger
Leave it to your God-oriented mind to be thinking such thoughts, Ginger! I never put stars and cactus together before,but I will now! Our wonderful Father!
I’m glad you got to see these dwellings!
Hi Deanne! I do wonder if that was not the Lord bringing the verse about the stars, Psalm 147:4, to my mind. He knew I’d need to sit there for a while to catch my breath and be ready to finish the hike, so I needed something to think about. I believe “our wonderful Father” is the one to thank for this connection!
Blessings,
Ginger
We love the deserts of Arizona and the wide open spaces. A great place to see a little part of God’s creation.
Hi Dave, we saw such diversity in the areas we visited. It was incredible! I can see why you enjoy being there. It was loaded with evidence of God’s creativity!
Ginger