A Prayer For South Dakota

Well, I guess I will join the bandwagon and blog about the South Dakota blizzard. But, here's the fact: it's not a bandwagon, "cool thing to blog about", "everyone else did it, I will too" type of blog post. Actually, it's more of a heart-wrenching, how could this happen, farmer-to-farmer prayer.

In case you didn't know, here's the lay down: a blizzard, Atlas, hit South Dakota, Thursday, October 3 - Saturday, October 5. With 58 inches of snow, and 80 mph winds recorded in places, Atlas hit western South Dakota like a thief, stealing the lives of approximately 75,000 cattle. (That's a rough guess, courtesy South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.) Here's the even worser (yep, worser) part, thanks to the government shutdown, cattlemen could've lost 20-50% of their yearly income to the second worst recorded snow storm in the history of South Dakota, with no insurance guarantees.

Before I precede on, let me share a couple photos to try and show just how bad it really was:

            In the aftermath of the storm, ranchers had to dig through the snow to find their cattle, to record who had passed, who was still alive, 

and who was still out there.....

                                                    This photo is from: agchat.org

             

Current reports and photos show deceased cattle lining the highways

 

   This photo is from: Rapids City Journal

Alright, now that we've established the heart break story, let's establish the next fact: no matter who you are, this hurts. Anti-meat activists love to stress how farmers and ranchers don't care about their animals. Yet, it is times like these that allow us all to realize just how precious those lives are. Whether it be cattle, swine, sheep, whatever....farmers and ranchers' livelihoods depend on these animals.

This is more than just a pocketbook investment, it's a total, all-in, heart and soul commitment. You think it's bad looking at sad pictures from a nice, comfy couch inside? Try living it. Try being the farmer, out in the cold, digging through snow and finding a frozen baby calf ear, cutting the tag out to record the death, then moving on to the next grave. Is it a heart break? You bet.
                      
But, here's the next fact: we wouldn't trade our lifestyle for the world. Tragedies happen, just as in any other profession. But, farming and ranching is so much more than just an ordinary profession. Being a farmer means getting to see the sunrise more than any one else and knowing that it brings promise - like melting five feet of snow away. Being a farmer means seeing lives being born every day. Being a farmer means surviving the tough times, and prevailing forward with hope in your heart, and passion in your soul.

Farming and ranching is not for the faint-of-heart, but for the bold, for the ones that love their lifestyle more than anyone else. So, let's take a moment to say a little prayer for our fellow cattlemen, our fellow American's. Just because farming and ranching holds more tragedies than most, it still hurts every time, even if it's not your own cattle.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to live in a country born on freedom. Thank You for the opportunity to pursue our passion. Thank you for the time we get to praise You, and Lord, strengthen us in our time of weakness. May Your peace and everlasting comfort clothe those whose pain we cannot imagine. Father, help us to find hope in a time of hurt, and to grow closer to You in every circumstance. Amen.

Today, may your blessings seem greater, your courage a little bolder, and your cows closer to your heart than ever before.

Sweet Sunday: Philippians 4:6

Hello again!

Well, I have decided to start a "tradition" on my blog....Sweet Sunday! Every Sunday, (please hold me accountable, hopefully I don't forget!) I will post a favorite verse, or a verse I heard in church, or just a little motivational, uplifting verse for the day!

I think far too often, consumers look at farmers and ranchers as cruel, money-hungry individuals that don't respect their animals. Yet, quite the contrary is true. Farmers and ranchers have just the same beliefs, religion, and lifestyle as everyone else - minus sleeping in on Saturdays, having time to go on vacations, being able to stay inside on rainy/snowy/hot/yucky days, oh yeah, and our lives revolve around stock! Hopefully, Sweet Sunday's will give everyone the opportunity to see how we are really all the same.

So! Today's verse comes from Philippians - one of my favorite books!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."   -Philippians 4:6

I love this verse for three reasons:

1. God is telling us to not worry, just give everything to Him! Whew, great to be reminded of that!

2. I think of this as "preparation for the day". We need to be prepared to spread the word of Jesus to others, and the way to be prepared? Prayer.

3. God loves everything we do (as long as it is in His name, of course). So when I am preparing for anything, whether it is school, judging, speaking, or spreading the word of agriculture, I know I can pray for peace, comfort, and strength.

Man, we serve a mighty Lord! Today, may your strength in the Lord be boundless, your worries be few, and your hair fabulous (even in the pouring rain)! Have a super Sweet Sunday friends!