Blessings Among the Heat and Drought

Southwest Oklahoma, as well as other parts of the U.S., have seen record setting numbers of days with temperatures of over 100 degrees.  We have also been having a drought.  Our small town of Tipton has had only a few sprinkles and immeasurable rain only once or twice since October.  It's hot.  It's dry.  It's extremely hot!  It's extremely dry!

Our county has issued a water restrictions, where city water can be used for livestock daily, but lawns can only be watered a few days a week.  There has been a burn ban in effect for many months.  Cotton crops are suffering.  Herds of cattle and other livestock are being sold early.  The heat and drought are causing problems for farmers and those in the farming industry.

How can blessings be found among these problems?  What good can be seen from any of this?  Well, for one, there are not many flies this summer!  Not nearly as many as there usually are at this time of year!  Another thing we've noticed is that there aren't any mosquitoes to speak of.  That's a huge blessing when a few years ago the threat of mosquito borne illnesses were a hot topic throughout this area.

My husband and one of our friends see the blessing of no worms with their livestock.  When there is a lot of rain, the threat of worms getting into the ground and in the feed of the livestock increases greatly.  In years past this has been a huge problem causing some loss of life in some of the livestock.  The lack of rain has eliminated this problem this year.

And finally, because there hasn't been rain, there hasn't been much mowing going on.  We have well water for our lawn, so we have to mow quite often, but our field next to the house usually needs mowing several times a month hasn't needed it once at all this year.  My husband and son also mow lawns for people and they haven't had to do it very often, either.  Although they make a little money doing it, they are having more time to do other things since they aren't mowing as much.  Another blessing!

Sometimes it's hard to see blessings in the midst of trouble, trials, sorrow, sickness, or pain, but in each of those areas there are always blessings to be seen.  We just have to open our eyes and look for them.  We have to want to see them.  We have to expect to see them.

God is faithful and blesses us in so very many ways.....even in the heat and drought.  Thank you, God, for your blessings!!

Take the time to read this passage today:  Deuteronomy 28:1-12