The desert is a common image for Lent, evoking Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and the barren expanse we might associate with self-denial. Such a stark view of the desert fails to capture the immense potential for growth and discovery that can be found amid the shrubs. There is compassion for self and others to be cultivated along this arduous trek as we grow more aware of life's trials and traumas. Srubas uses wilderness stories both literal and metaphorical, from both Scripture and modern life, to guide readers on a challenging, yet rewarding, journey of mindfulness, empathy, commitment, and action.