Grumpy Farmers

I'm allowed to call them grumpy. I'm one of them, so it's my perrogative!

Yesterday on the ABC radio show "The Country Hour", which Fisherman listens to religiously they said it would rain overnight. And did it rain? No. It blew a gale. We now have a great deal of the top soil from our paddocks on the kitchen floor (because someone forgot to shut the window, oops). So, not only did it not rain, but it blew and blew and blew. If there is one thing that upsets farmers more than no rain, it's no rain AND a gale force wind to erode your dry paddocks.

But there is an up side. As there always is if you look hard enough. This morning it has been raining. At least it is raining here in town. I've thought about ringing home to see if it is raining there, but I dare not, just in case it isn't.

We are really starting to see the ramifications of this drought on the farming families in our district now. I had coffee with a dear friend yesterday who has just started taking anti depressants. She is more worried for the wellbeing of her husband than herself, but I pointed out that she needs to get herself right first, before she is able to help anyone else. They are a wonderful God loving family, they were in our wedding, we were in theirs. It breaks my heart to see them suffering. It's not fair. Sulk. Pout. Whinge. Complain.

Ok, that's enough of the "why us" complaining. We are all allowed to indulge in a little self pity every now and then.

Lord, I pray for an emphatic break in this drought. I pray for the wellbeing of this community, and for all other communities around Australia who are suffering. Our towns are dying, our resolve is weakening. Please help us to keep our eyes, and our minds and our hearts on you, because that is the only place we will find healing and peace.