Getting the Message
Just a few days ago I wrote about looking for a lost recipe that I thought would be impossible to find. Photographing wild artichokes yielded a similar experience.
Having in mind a post about wild artichokes, I resolved to take pictures. I had spotted two wild artichoke plants in bloom. Both plants were on the narrow, winding, shoulderless road that leads into our rural canyon. Stopping to take photos would be dangerous. Last Friday, when Rich and I were on our way out for an early dinner date, I grabbed our camera and described to him where I wanted to stop to photograph artichokes. I figured he could stop long enough for me to get out of the car, then find a safe place to turn around and return for me.
(This, by the way, is one mark of a supportive husband: When you ask your man to stop on the way to dinner so you can photograph weeds, and he agrees….well–that’s a good sign.)
Rich pulled the car down from his “parking space” on the slope opposite our house and I hopped in. Our street is narrow; instead of making a u-turn to head out of our neighborhood, he drove further into the neighborhood so he could turn around in a wide spot.
When he pulled in to turn around, I saw, directly in front of us, a wild artichoke plant. The plant I’d wanted to photograph was right there!
Rich stopped the car. I took my photographs. We continued on to dinner.
The next morning we set out to collect our grandson Ayden for a weekend at our home. Along the way, I spotted big stands of wild artichokes. They’re easy to identify by the distinctive color of the blooms, and the height of the plant.
Sunday, on our way to church, I saw even more. 
Artichokes stretch up to the ridgeline
Once I opened my eyes and sought them, I found them everywhere.
God’s telling me something. I just need to listen.
21 “And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!Isaiah 59:21 (NLT)
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