My desert journey

This is it. 

My desert. 

My long march towards Promised Land. A journey stemmed from (hopefully) obedience.  

The daylight sun burns. The midnight wind chills to the bones. My feet are blistered. My eyes grew sore from catching desert sands. I'm embittered by the harshness of it.

Alas, I don't have the convenience of supernatural Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. None to provide some shade from the sun nor some warmth and light at nights.

What I do get is manna. Each and every morning. Unfailingly, sweet little manna flakes. And water from in between hard rocks. Clean, precious drops of water. Barely enough reminders of a Divine Presence, unless vigorously thanked for. Easily overlooked and taken for granted. 

Something supernatural would have been nice.
But maybe I must learn to be content with manna and water. They are miraculous nevertheless, as long as I keep the right perspective.
And they are sufficient, as long as I keep the right attitude.

Lord, guide me through this desert.
Sustain me through every sandstorm.
Help me cope and be content.
And not wish for the sand to be gone. It is a desert after all.

And  through this journey of shaping, molding, sharpening, and smoothing my rough edges, may Your name, not mine, be glorified.

 Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. 

Psalms 119:116

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. Psalms 126:5-6

"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm - my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed." Joel 2:25-26 

PS. If You see it fit, would You please lend me a camel when I feel like I need one? ;P