Unexpected Places for Spiritual Reminders
Casinos and labyrinths
After researching places between Flagstaff, Arizona, and Barstow, California, I chose to spend the night in Laughlin, Nevada. My family out west has frequented this town mostly for the gambling as it is a bit like a mini Las Vegas. When I asked the hotel check-in staff what there was to do in town, she looked at me and without missing a beat said, “Gambling.” (More about that experience later.) She wasn’t wrong.
But when I had done a bit of research on the town, I found there was a little area with labyrinths, which I love. For those of you not familiar with labyrinths, they look a bit like mazes but actually only have one path in and out with a centering space. They have been around for thousands of years and found in many cultures. In my experience it has been used as a spiritual tool to focus on God as a kind of prayerful walk.
So I was a bit surprised to find out about the Laughlin Labyrinths. Wes Dufek felt drawn to create nine labyrinths in three spaces And he did this for others to enjoy free of charge.
Thinking it would be cooler, I decided to go this morning after check-out. I had not realized it, but the largest collection of these labyrinths was behind my hotel and casino. If I had only looked out my hotel window in the right direction, I would have seen them.
Well…it was 100 degrees…at 8 am. Dry heat is still hot, y’all. Luckily a (warm) breeze accompanied my walk around one of the labyrinths. I chose to walk the triangle labyrinth as I had recently researched and reflected upon the trinity for a sermon I gave. Plus, I had never seen a triangle-shaped labyrinth, so I entered.
I realized on my walk inward to the center that I had missed a lot of time with God on this particular journey. It has been very different than last year’s I-40 trip, on which I felt more connected to God. But I realized I had been more intentional to give myself space to listen last year, which I have not been this time. So I used this morning as a reminder to listen more for the remaining few days. And I did this today as I got off I-40 and took a section of Route 66. And again I listened from the Mount San Jacinto State Park. I listened in the hot, so very hot desert and on the mountains with the cool breeze blowing around me.
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4
Is it odd that in the middle of what some would call a mini “sin city,” I was able to find a spiritual tool to redirect my time and path? Maybe odd isn’t the right word. Maybe God knew the path all along and revealed the unexpected places just when I needed it most. And it serves to remind me that God can do amazing things in the most random of places.
I would love to hear from you about unexpected places God has revealed a path/way/reminder for you. Feel free to comment below and thanks for being on the journey with me.
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us, Jenny! I’ve been looking forward to hearing about your experiences- can’t wait to hear more!
I love your adventures and the amazing way you write that make me feel I am right there with you! God bless you Jenny! I was in the real Vegas recently so my husband could see his beloved Grateful Dead in the new Sphere. I tried to find some holy ground but the best one I found was in my hotel room while he was at the concert. Good for you!!!! Safe travels!!!