Giving thanks
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Editor,
When I was a boy on the farm, I asked my Mother why the chickens always raised their heads while drinking water from the waterer (a metal bucket with an attached circular base, when filled with water and turned upside down, gradually releases the water into the base from which the chickens drink), she told me that they were giving thanks to God. That was quite a few years ago. I think there may have been other reasons, however, Mom’s answer has stuck with me for many years.
Many Christians have been praying for rain for several months. A couple of months ago my sister-in-law, Betty Corum, was about to lead the senior citizens who had come to the Ronan Senior center in a prayer of thanks for their noon meal; she told us that she was also praying for rain. At the church where I attend, members have requested often that prayer be offered for rain.
Much prayer has ascended to God for the safety of those who have battled the fires which have consumed so much of our Montana forests. I was on a Glacier Park fire crew with Missoula Smoke-jumpers in the Belly River valley in the summer of 1952. The terrine was extremely rough and steep on the mountainside above Elizabeth Lake where we were endeavoring to put a line around the fire. Fighting wild fires is hot, dirty, dangerous work.
This fire season, citizens have been evacuated from their homes, animals have been relocated to shelters, all the while, there has been minimal loss of structures or serious injuries. We’ve prayed for those neighbors who have lost property or suffered injuries. We continue to pray for those devastated by Harvey and Irma. Donations are being given to assist those in need.
The rains have come. Temperatures have declined. The smoke is gone.
If my parents were still living on the east shore of Flathead Lake as they once did, I’m sure that they would say, let there be a generous offering of thanks to God for His providential care. Amen.
Harvey A. Town
Polson
