About 4 hours ago, I turned the faucet handle on the kitchen sink, intending to wash my hands. A tiny trickle of water came out, followed by… nothing.
My heart seemed to stop. Here in eastern New Mexico, we’re in the middle of an unprecedented heat wave, years of drought, and a year of record-breaking wildfires. A couple of days ago, my stepdaughter called to tell me that officials in the town where she lives had notified everyone that they need to conserve water as much as possible. The officials spread the word by personally calling everyone who lives in the town, which my stepdaughter found alarming. Her dad and I live sixty miles north, in a different municipality. We haven’t received any calls to conserve our water. But… did our city just run out of water?
Immediately, my trauma-addled brain jumped to: “WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!”
To make a long story short, a computer glitch at the bank had caused our payment for the water bill to bounce. With no notice of any kind from either the bank or the water company, our water was shut off, in the middle of triple-digit heat. It’s 103 degrees outside right now. We need our water!
After my husband paid two visits to the utility company, our water was turned back on. It’s a glorious thing to open a faucet and have water come pouring out. Being able to flush the toilet is a cause for rejoicing. 😀
The moral of my story: Don’t jump to the conclusion that we are all going to die, the moment that one thing goes wrong. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. (see Matthew 10:29-31)
Speaking of sparrows, I have been leaving water outside for the birds all summer. Doves, crows, and dozens of little sparrows are enjoying the water bowls in our back yard. I love watching them. ❤
I took the picture of a sparrow drinking out of our dogs’ water bowl, while I was sitting on the back patio a few weeks ago. But when I moved slightly, trying for a better angle, the sparrow panicked and flew away. Yes, I have a lot in common with sparrows!
A Blog About Healing From PTSD 
Glad your water is back on. How wonderful it is to live in a country where water service is cheap and dependable. My wife’s grandparents (Long gone now) depended on a hand pump for their water. Their life in Iowa would seem like a hardship today.
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Yes, you are so right! My husband told me that his Polish grandmother, who was born in the late 1800s, said that running water was the greatest invention of modern times.
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How often do you change the water to prevent mosquitos hatching? Good p[ost!
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Thanks, Nan. I change the water at least once a day. It’s so dry here, we rarely get mosquitoes. Except during the monsoons, which we haven’t had in too many years.
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My mom grew up in Italy. They were poor. As a young girl she drew water from a well, and carried the water pot back home on her head. Imagine that! We are so blessed to have running water in our homes. I’m glad this turned out well for you all!
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Thank you, Cathy. Yes, carrying a water pot home on your head is so very different from the way we live today. I remember my great-grandparents, and I know they didn’t have indoor plumbing until shortly before I was born. They did have a well in their yard, though. We are so blessed, indeed!
My fear this morning wasn’t so much about having to go out of our way to get water to bring back home, as the worry that there wouldn’t be any accessible water, anywhere. The rivers and lakes in this part of the US are drying up. I’m praying for RAIN!
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I know what you mean. I’ve been reading about water shortages. We definitely need to pray. 🙏
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I love this story Linda! I continue to learn so much from you! 😊 💕
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Awww. Thank you, precious Ruby. ((HUGS))
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I think a sudden lack of water is a little more serious than not getting the expected visit, Linda! Still, we do need to trust the Lord in all things. I think my trials might be practice for when I encounter bigger trials like yours.
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A great post, Linda. It reminds me of a time when our well ran dry during a drought. We had to dig the well deeper. I wrote about the lessons I learned here: https://musingsofmanettekay.com/2021/04/20/a-dry-well/
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Thank you!
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I just read it, and I LOVE your post about your well running dry. That was just what I needed to read right now. God is so awesome and gracious!!
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I’m glad it encouraged you. I do understand the “tendency to panic” because I too am learning to overcome PTSD.
Unfortunately, my default reaction is often flight or freeze in panic. But in Christ, I’m moving towards a healthier version of me–the person God created and desires me to be. May the LORD bless you.
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PTSD is a reality for many people. I’m so glad you’re aware of your reactions and able to contain them. In my practice, I often worked with PTSD clients using EMDR, a remarkable tool. Seems to me you and I have talked about that before :). We’re praying for rain here in PA, although we haven’t had the same degree of drought that you have. It’s been a long, hot, dry July.
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Yes, we have talked about EMDR. I plan on having more of that done. The whole pandemic thing and my husband’s cancer treatments has set me back a little.
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Water, both physical and spiritual, are crucial to our existence.
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Amen, brother! I’m thanking the good Lord for the wonderful gift of water.
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Amen sister, those of us who lean towards anxiety need to refresh their faith daily. Thank you for sharing this story and encouragement!
May the Lord continue to build our faith to endure every dry and rainy season.
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Thank you, Lisa Beth. Amen and Amen.
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Thanks for keeping your eyes on those birdies. I usually fill the birdbaths with water, but sometimes forget. Good thing God has His eyes on those creatures.
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We used to have a nice bird bath, but gave it away because two of our three rescue dogs kept chasing the birds and trying to kill them. But now that the birds are drinking out of the dogs’ water bowls, the dogs are leaving them alone. Strange, isn’t it? So now I leave a couple of the bowls outside, even when I bring the dogs back inside the house.
Yes, it’s easy to forget to fill them sometimes. Like you said, I’m so glad the Lord watches over the birds. ❤
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I just heard that St. Louis is experiencing flooding right now, and wondered if any of their rivers flowed southwest into the areas of drought, or do they all flow into the Mississippi! Lord, send relief, I pray!
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Amen. I grew up in Missouri. It’s crazy, what’s happening to our climate right now.
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I keep reminding myself that it was just a few years ago we experienced a record-breaking polar vortex. Heat waves/cold snaps come and go!
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At the time, I called it a bipolar vortex. Because, yeah 😀
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Water is the staff of life. I am glad that your water was sorted out. I know how it feels to have your water disconnected. Have a blessed weekend.
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Thank you so much, Beverley. God bless you!
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You are welcome 😊
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It’s funny the things we take for granted, that, when gone, we panic. I am like this often. I struggle financially so much that it seems to have become my lifestyle. Lol. And when something new comes, I am always like, “God! Again??” … “How are we gonna get through this?”…
And despite my panic, God always shows up! Our boat may have a hole in it, and we always seem to be sinking, but God always provides a pail for us to bail out the water! 🤣 We’ve been sinking for years!!! But we haven’t sunk yet!!! 🤣🤣🤣
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I hear you! My hubby and I are going through a lot right now. I’m currently reading A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller, which is just what I needed at this time. I highly recommend it. I memorized that Psalm as a little girl and I thought I understood it. But after reading this book, my understanding has been greatly expanded. He is my Shepherd indeed, even when the going is rough.
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That is an excellent book!!
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For years now, every time I turn on the shower and feel that beautiful water, or anytime I jump into a creek, or pool here in this desert, I always am so thankful and thank God for one of my favorite gifts He gives me…water. Water is clear, clean, and beautiful. I know what you mean about that fear thing, I jump on that wagon now and then too, have to be so careful of that. Comes from growing up in a fearful environment. Water is the real gold that runs beneath our feet and many have no clue that this is the truth.
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‘Water is the real gold that runs beneath our feet and many have no clue that this is the truth.’ — Yes! You are so right.
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