The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park is a sight to see. It is a 28 mile drive. If you drive this road, it would take you all of 40 minutes. Should you decide to stop at every stop and walk every trail, it would take you 5 hours. Our 5 hour trip was amazing!  They say this desert area used to be a lush area with plenty of water. As the trees fell, they were covered by the sediment and eventually, over many years, petrified. As the earth has changed over these many years the wind and effects of the desert have eroded the ground and we now see the wood that was buried so many years ago. Likewise, the Painted Desert is nothing but badlands that appear to have been painted. This is based on how quickly the sedimentary layers were created. The environment (through God’s help of course) helped to create this beautiful masterpiece!

On one such stop in the Petrified Forest, I believe it was Jasper Forest, we came upon a canyon containing hundreds of logs, trees and small pieces of the petrified wood. When this canyon was first discovered in the early 1900s the entire floor of the canyon was covered with the wood. When people found out it was there, they came in droves and “mined” the wood for selling. The only thing that saved the rest of the wood from being taken was when the forest became a national park and, therefore, was protected. We looked upon this area and saw what it was today and could only imagine its beauty in its glory days; even though it was beyond beautiful just how it was when we looked around.

I wonder if we see ourselves like that canyon. Humanity once was perfect, untouched and made just how God intended us to be. Then, there was sin. We were discovered by the world. Other people found out about us and wanted a part of us. Not knowing how to protect ourselves on our own, we gave in to the pressure. We allowed ourselves to be taken; a piece here and a piece there. We felt violated. We finally screamed out in protest and asked God to forgive us. He came into our lives and with His help we no longer allowed others to take parts of us away with them.

Then, we have the shame to deal with of the “what ifs”. What if we had not given in and sinned? What if we had made a different choice on that one day that made an impact on the rest of our lives? What if I had chosen God’s plan and not my own? What ifs. They can make us or break us. Sadly, people still steal from the park. It’s an ongoing battle to save what is there. Likewise, the world and sin will always be there to try to steal us back from God. It’s an ongoing battle! Thankfully, though, God’s grace has truly washed over us and allowed us to start over again. We are beautiful just how we are.

Oh, there was one other thing about the canyon that was redemptive and helped to complete the story. As we turned to leave, we noticed a tree sticking out of the side of the mountain. All around us, under the very ground we were walking upon, were petrified trees just waiting to be exposed. As the badlands continue to erode away, there are more trees exposed and as they are exposed they will eventually fall down into the canyon. The story starts all over again. God’s grace. He’s once again making beautiful and right what was wronged; just like in each of our lives.

© 2012 Susan M. Sims

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