During a conversation last night with a friend in Louisiana, a random question came up. She asked me if we have ferns in Nevada. I suppose it might be counterintuitive for some to realize that we do have ferns here in a state that everyone thinks is completely desert. Although most of the state is sparesely vegetated, we have great mountains and small streams, and Vegas even has a ski resort. Yes, we have ferns here; I have counted four different species so far as well as wild strawberries, pinion pines, moss, foxes, etc. The desert teems with life.
The valley in which Las Vegas sits is not that pretty. Most of the native plants, where you can still see native plants, are scraggly, bedraggled, and a shadow of their possible potential. You see, salt collects in the valleys, which are basically large bowls by virtue of caliche, rock, and mud, that prevent penetration of soil by either plant roots or water. Most of our vegetation grows near the many natural springs in the desert because the water stirs up the soil.
Since we've had a rather mild winter thus far even by desert standards like the rest of the valley, my friend and I have noticed new life in the mountains. Last weekend while hiking, we noticed that the mosses (yes, we have those too) were flowering. We found dragonfly eggs. Pines were readying pollen for disbursal. There are flowers on the wild strawberries. The willows are ready to open. Etc, etc, etc. Most people think the desert is ugly. It is about 30 miles from where I live to Red Rock NCA, but it is well worth the drive.
One of the things that troubles me is how man regards the desert. We have noticed over the past few weeks evidence of man's encroachment on nature. We always pick up litter; it seems like there's more to gather. We try to avoid disturbing any plants, including ferns and mosses, but others have not been so considerate, and they are wearing trails through lush bunches of wild grass, chopping off limbs of bushes, etc. Most of them probably don't notice the small flowers, the delicate ferns, or the so far successful moss colonies. We even do have desert lillies in some places, and they almost ready to bloom. They do not consider the lillies. They come for the view or for the accomplishment of making it to the peak.
Consider the lillies. Look for them. Appreciate them. Leave them there. For centuries, they have eeked out a meager existence in very small microclimes, protected by the hand of God against dearth, omnivores, disease, fires, etc. It's rare and wonderful to see these plants, and I like to show people the places. I realize that perhaps I need to ask them to respect the sites so that maybe others can consider just how cool it is that ferns and strawberries grow in the desert.
In the deserts of our lives, we are like the lillies of the field. Sometimes we hang on delicately to what we have and withstand difficult pressures, vegetable, animal and mineral, in order to survive and thrive. Like them, we depend mostly on the hand of God to preserve us, protect us, and provide for us. As Jesus taught during his sermon on the mount, the followers of Christ are beautiful and wonderful, just as we are, particularly in a dirty, thirsty, and hardened world. To be a decent person has become a rarity as selfish people crawl from the woodwork to assault our sensibilities and slake their lusts at our expense. They would pocket us to our destruction. They tred on us. They leave litter in our lives. Yet, God looks after us still.
I think the great principle in the Parable of the Lillies is submissiveness. As we recognize our dependence on a Savior and trust in His redeeming grace, overarching wisdom, and eternal plan for our happiness and turn our lives over to Him, we will find like the lillies not only that we are preserved but that we prosper and multiply. One of the best lessons I have learned since moving to Vegas was a few years back when a clergyman I respect told me that he handles all the burdens laid upon him when he counsels folks by discussing them with and leaving them to the Lord. As I have done likewise, I have found more happiness and peace. Take no thought for things you cannot control; after all, we are always in His hands.
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