Daily Guideposts 2016: 7-Day Reading PlanSample

No rain, no rain, no rain. Then, suddenly, rain. At long last our severe drought in California had a moment’s respite. Storms rolled in, skies darkened, and rain fell—sometimes even poured—though not nearly enough to replenish dry reservoirs.

But wildflowers, the kids and I discovered, are hardier than people. They don’t need much to drink. A few days after the rain stopped, we ventured to some nearby trails to hunt for blossoms. They were everywhere: poppies, shooting stars, monkey flower, and my favorite, elegant brodiaea. Who could resist a delicate purple wildflower with a name like that?

The trails were muddy, but we didn’t care. We breathed fresh air and went from flower to flower. The kids clutched wildflower identification pamphlets we’d picked up from a kiosk at the trailhead. “I think it’s this one!” Benjamin cried, pointing to a picture on the pamphlet as we kneeled to examine a delicate cluster of white blossoms.

As we walked, I thought of the massive damage the drought was doing to farmers, ranchers, and California’s elaborate, expensive system for capturing, storing, and transporting water. It’s because of that system that so many people can live in a semiarid region prone to drought.

Yet here were these flowers. It had rained just a few days. But that, apparently, was enough. I could almost hear God say to each flower, “You are mine, and I will not abandon you.”

I wasn’t sure how invested God was in our man-made water system. But I could see His care for His creation right here, on this trail, in the poppies, the monkey flower, and the elegant brodiaea.

Today I will not be discouraged, Lord. I will remember Your unfailing care for me and for all that You have made.

—Jim Hinch

Digging Deeper: Jeremiah 2:13, 1 Peter 5:7