Let’s just look at that map for awhile.
I said awhile back with the extreme heat in Texas, “What? Is Texas the new Arizona?” I was joking, but as I stare at that map, I can’t help but wonder. It’s so hard to comprehend from here in Tennessee, where we’ve been blessed with rain through the summer. My yard is a lush, thick green carpet. The lake is nice a full. I’ve fallen asleep to a thunderstorm recently.
However, down in Texas, its a whole different story. The last time I was down, it was definitely already staggering how dry it was… and that was about a month ago, now. National news has been covering the drought here and there, but I know the news reports are nothing like being there in person. Temperatures have been 100+ for days on end, setting records. And the lakes… they’re hardly lakes.
I may be a Nashvillian now, but I am forever in my heart a Texan. And that same heart aches to see the footage of the drought. It aches for the many farmers who have lost their crops and who are losing their cattle due to lack of feed and water. I don’t think much of the nation realizes what kind of economic impact this drought will have for a long, long time.
Water… its a natural resource we seem to take for granted. But right now, the people of Texas are crying out for it. They are desperate for rain. They are desperate for a break in the high temperatures. Cities that usually have plenty of water in reserve are having to tap into their back-up sources, further draining lakes. As I witness many watering their lawns here, I can’t help be think about those who are just hoping they’ll have water to drink in days and weeks to come down in Texas.
I ask, please, if you’re a believer in God… take this moment to say a short prayer for a break for the people of Texas (and for all those affected by the drought.) Pray for rain.
If you need help with that, beliefnet posted this prayer in July:
“God, you send rains in season. It is a season of need in Texas. Send more rain to that parched land and more again across all the thirsty southern states. Find a small and willing cloud sitting bored over some vacant part of the Caribbean, and give it a push toward Houston. Make a Hurricane, perhaps, not strong enough to destroy, but filled with warmed moisture and send it North. We ask you for rain. Let the drought unite many millions to ask you for help. We trust in you. You made the world to need the waters of heaven. You made the world to need the waters of life. You are the source of rain. We ask you. Let it rain. In Jesus name.â€
If you are curious for more details about the drought, check out these articles:
- More Western towns adopt ‘toilet to tap’ strategy to conserve water
- Drought reminds us that water controls destiny
- Texas Farm Losses Reach Record $5.2 Billion After Drought, University Says
- The Long-Term Consequences of Texas’ Worst Ever Drought
- No relief in sight for deadly Texas drought conditions
- Texas Drought Will Harm Ecosystem for a Long Time [PHOTOS]
That’s a beautiful prayer! We definitely need rain. My dad’s shipped all the cows & calves to feedlots (I think he’s up to three now…). He still has the bulls at home, hoping to sell them easier that way. It’s rare to see cattle at all in pastures these days. Our family’s land is all dry, cracked earth. In fact one pasture looks like a sand pit at the moment, and another is cracked clay. Lots of farmers and ranchers are digging out their tanks since they’re dry as a bone right now – at least that’s one silver lining.
We’re under Phase 2 water restrictions, only watering outdoors twice a week, in Morgan’s Point. Several area lakes have warnings for boats because submerged trees and sandbars are much closer to the surface these days. We *may* have a chance of rain starting tomorrow… hopefully. At least it’s supposed to drop to 98F. I told Chris the other day that I missed “normal 95 degree days.” LOL
My trepidation is at the coming year – I keep reading that the drought will reach into next summer because we need rain NOW just to have a chance at a winter and spring planting. The Skrivanek cattle are staying in their feedlots until December, so far. Feed prices are ridiculously high. There isn’t any hay to buy (and the bales that are out there are $100-200 each).
May God hear our prayers!
AMEN!! :( At my church you can put prayer requests in a book that people pray for through the week. Ever weekend, I write down, “Pray for those under this horrible drought, that rain may fall.” or some variation on it. It sure can’t hurt!!
Update: One of the places (in Clarksville, TX) requested everyone to come get their cattle. Their tanks are where ours were back in May- still have water, but not dry enough for the cattle to not get stuck. The owners are afraid that the cows will get stuck in the mud and die. :( Dad’s making arrangements for ours to be brought home. We don’t have much water in the tanks at all, but it’s dry enough around it that nothing will get stuck. Also, he’s got more water troughs working. He joked they’re going to be “city-fied” with their water-from-a-faucet. ;-) He’s trying to keep his sense of humor. He sold 50 cows and 2 bulls last week to other ranchers, and I think he may be selling off his older stock to the auction. :(
For hay, the Temple area ranchers are trying to get hay from Michigan- they Michigan farmers will sell it for $75 a bale, but no trucks will deliver it! *facepalms*