I read an essay by someone about 10 years ago that resonated with me so powerfully that it moved me to begin my 'retirement' ministry.  Today as I explore possibilities in our new place, I am reminded of it.

It was entitled Encounter in the Desert by Linda Douty.  She spoke of when she sat in the desert looking at a giant saguaro cactus sitting amidst a host of others.  She saw it's wounds, where it had been eaten away through the years and how it just stood there, plain and barren and "ugly".

I remember sitting reading this with a lump in my throat.  She was describing me.

But, then, she said she realized that where the wounds were exposed and it was eaten away, the birds had built nests.  She also realized that this saguaro (who was referred to as SHE) was always pointing UP!

Now,  tears did come.

SHE had a purpose 'in the midst'.

And. So. Could. I.

WE could always point UP...

...and WE could LET OTHERS BUILD NESTS IN OUR WOUNDS!

It is at that moment that I felt the gentle nudge to begin a modest ministry to persons who needed a 'safe place to reflect.'  It is also when I knew I wanted to try to keep on pointing UP no matter where I was standing...whether in a little blog, at home. at a mall, in the grocery line, at the airport, wherever however whoever whenever.

Point up....let others' build nests in your wounds.  Point up....let others' build nests in your wounds.  Point up....let others' build nests in your wounds.

This became my mantra...

...and this little cactus (thank you, Nancy) reminds me each day to NOT let that go.

At almost 68,  I continue to be blessed by standing in the midst of many but, nonetheless,  one can wonder just how much there is to offer in a new place;  those old feelings of just 'standing' there, plain, barren and "ugly" can peek through.

BUT, I will be damned if I let myself pay heed to them!

So, I am putting this in writing to hold myself accountable as I go into this new land, wounds and all (world whisperers feel free to join me).

Everyone's journey can feel like a desert sometimes but this ol' saguaro reminds herself that tears mean there is life and "ugly" is in the eye of the beholder so...

...NEST BUILDERS, here I am!

Look for the ol' "ugly" one pointing UP!

ps
private message if you're a nest-needer