Lesson I learned from Petrified Wood ~ And the River of Life making it so beautiful!

It is a dark, chilly, and starry Christmas eve here in northern Arizona. I walked along a mountain trail and noticed soft, sparkly snow blanketing the ground beneath me. We had arrived in Petrified Forest National Park earlier that afternoon and visited the beautiful landmarks and trails.

A particularly memorable region had beautiful 'chocolate hills' covered in 'white frosting', as we called it.

It was 29 degrees F and we were reluctant to leave our warm minivan, but to experience a truly White Christmas, we had to explore and 'feel' everything here ~ even the cold, chilly air and icy/slushy hikes!

Both kids were given 'homework' by forest rangers as special project for kids. And after exploring the national park and answering questions about their observations, they were given  junior ranger badges and sworn in as official junior rangers! The Rainbow Forest Trail was truly memorable, and everywhere around us we saw huge trees with crystallized centers.

Petrified Wood (meaning: wood turned into rock) is formed when trees fall across river crossings. When the cold river runs through them, minerals from the river water fills the cavities inside the trees, which crystallizes into quartz, iron, cobalt and other mineral deposits. Hence the cross-section of these petrified trees have a reddish-orange/yellow, and sometimes rare blue/green hue resembling stones or rocks. Tomorrow I will buy some petrified wood keychains to show you all!

  ~Picture taken by Abbie ~

We made it back in time for the free Christmas Eve lasagna dinner at our hotel lunch room. We are so blessed that we have warm heating, delicious food, and great company during this trip. When I behold the amazing beauty of the petrified trees, I realized that  we are just like them.

Though we are fragile, vulnerable, not very beautiful, and dull in color.... but when we allow the river of life ~ the Holy Spirit ~ to fill us and do supernatural work in our hearts, something magical happens!

We will shine with beauty when God's love produce crystals in our speech, action, and attitude. Even if freezing water attacks us on all sides, when we hold on and let God refine us in and out, we will be powerful vessels for our Maker! Let us imitate the petrified trees and encourage one another to shine for Him! Merry Christmas and have a beautiful, silent night.