Searching in the Desert
thanksgiving abounds
when we get our hope granted
unexpectedly
There are times when we long to connect with those who have gone before us. Perhaps we have questions that need answering, or we long to honor them in some way.
My husband felt that way recently when we traveled to Arizona.
As we were flying in, Brian reminded me of the one thing he was hoping for, besides visiting our friends, Marv and Jean.
Even though we didn’t have the address with us, he wanted to find the house in the desert that his parents had built over 55 years ago.
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Paul, my husband’s dad, owned a road construction business and was unable to work in the winter months.
Winters in Iowa back then were brutal. Lots of snow. Below-zero temperatures. Endless wind from November to March.
So Paul and Martha decided to winter in Arizona, where it was warm.
In fact, his parents traveled to Carefree and built the house, one of the first in that desert area, contracting with the city to provide water and electricity access.
Brian and I visited them a few times, but when we were last there, our 40 and 44-year-old sons were 3 and 7, so the details are unclear.
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Our Arizona hosts joyfully accepted the challenge to help Brian fulfill this desire to connect with his parents’ memory by finding this house, so we all packed into their van and headed north on Hwy 101.
When we came to the town of Carefree, the first thing Brian noticed was the Desert Hills church. He was sure his parents attended that church when they were in the area. He felt encouraged to keep searching for the house.
After eating lunch in the sunshine, we took off, determined to find this house.
Brian went by his memory, surrounded by the unique beauty of the Arizona desert.
Remembering the hilly terrain, he hesitantly decided, “Let’s turn here.”
“Let’s head up that hill. I don’t recognize the name of this road, but let’s keep going.”
At the peak of a hill, he pointed, “Wait! Look at that house! I think it’s the one! Deane, do you think that’s it?”
There it sat, gently embedded in the desert foothills, full of saguaros, prickly pears, and the wild beauty of the Arizona desert.
We stopped the van at the top of the driveway.
Brian stepped out for a better look while trying to decide if this truly was the house.
As we sat there, a man came out and got into a little red car parked near the garage.
He started driving up the driveway.
PERFECT!!
Brian walked up to the car as the man rolled down his window.
After talking for several minutes, Brian turned back to where we waited.
He had news to share!
He found out that yes, this was the house!
Yes, this man knew Brian’s dad!
Yes, in fact, he bought the house from him!
He was Brian’s dad’s insurance agent who, when he heard he wanted to sell the house, quickly jumped at the chance to buy it. So there have been only 2 owners, Brian’s dad and this gentleman in the red car.
After this enlightening conversation, he headed off to meet friends in Carefree.
The four of us walked down the driveway, looked around the property, peeked in windows, and took lots of pictures.
We were all thrilled.
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As we headed back to Mesa, where our hosts live, all four of us realized how happy we felt… like we had been gifted with circumstances that came together for a blessing. Brian’s desire to find his parents’ house was granted.
It was pretty unlikely that Brian would find that house just by driving around roads in the desert.
But he did.
It was also unlikely that the owner would walk out of his house at the exact time we were at the top of his driveway!
But he did.
With these improbable circumstances aligning to create the perfect scenario, we offered a thankful prayer of praise to our God who loves and delights in surprising us.
In light of all the BIG hopes out there, this hope seemed rather small, but somehow it felt big to these Iowans on a warm February day in the middle of the desert in sunny Arizona.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5
Thoughts to ponder:
Are you currently hoping for something?
Is it a small “wish” or a huge desire?
Read Mark 10:51 where Jesus asked a blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
Consider that Jesus would like to talk with you about what you are hoping for.
Talk to Jesus and listen to how much he loves you.