THE DROUGHT in some parts of Australia has extended now for over a decade. The situation is dire at present. For many it has been just plain hard to keep going at times. But we pull up our socks and carry on, with God's help. I'm so grateful that I've had Christian Science to help me and my family.

At the moment it seems as if it will never rain again. Some farmers, and the sons of farmers, have been giving up. Some have even committed suicide because of their plight, and in fact the suicide rate in parts of the Australian bush has doubled in recent years. Not long ago the brother of my son's best friend took his own life. It was devastating for the young man's family—and for my son. I went to visit and to comfort the family, and especially the young man's mother. I wanted to offer some thoughts, but mostly just to be with her in a time of need.

I've been praying to see that in truth each dear farming family member is already blessed by God our Father. He holds each dear one in His tender constant care. God knows the needs of His family. Each one is vital and dear to Him. He supplies their needs before they ask.

Our Father is divine Love and holds each child, man, and woman in His strong, supporting arms. Therefore, they have this ever-present Love as a backup, a springboard, to give them the confidence and expectancy of a good season. In my prayers, I'm knowing that these dear farmers reflect, and therefore always have, the resilience they require. It comes directly from their Father. Abundant joy and gratitude are God's gift to each one of them.

My husband and I, and our son, wish to stay with our farm, and so far we have. Our son works off the farm, as there has been insufficient income for him to stay. We support each other as we pray. I declare regularly that my Father is ever with me to comfort, guard, and guide us. Reliance on Him is the only reason that we are still on the farm, and the only reason it is still a working concern.

I look upon farming as a necessary part of Australia's economy. We're growing grain for food. Our product is useful and necessary. When decisions have to be made—about crops and other concerns—my prayer includes the truth that God is our business manager. He will direct our decisions if we listen and obey.

It's always devastating to see a crop fail. Too often, after following normal farming practice to plant after sufficient rain has fallen, we've had no follow-up rain. Last winter, there was insufficient rain to plant a crop of barley. Enough rain only fell in January in patches over the farm. The challenge was to decide whether to plant or not. Could we be confident that more rain would fall? We decided to plant a small amount of land. I prayed with the idea that God had sent this rain as a gift, and we needed to have the confidence that it would rain again to keep the crop growing. So, we planted where it was wet enough. Odd showers fell, and then in early March we had enough rain to keep the sorghum growing. We expect God, the one Mind, to continue caring for this crop.

I consider it part of my farm work to pray with the ideas I find in Science and Health. One passage has been especially helpful: ". . . the seed is in itself, only as the divine Mind is All and reproduces all—as Mind is the multiplier, and Mind's infinite idea, man and the universe, is the product. The only intelligence or substance of a thought, a seed, or a flower is God, the creator of it" (p. 508).

Another challenge has been to stop looking to the sky for rain, remembering that our Father is always the source of supply. When showers and storms go around our farm and our crop is stressed from lack of water, it can be hard to remain confident. With God's help, I've changed my thought pattern, bit by bit. I remember to be grateful that some farmers are having rain. I continue to pray to see that our Father includes everyone in His loving care. When driving past our crop or a neighbor's crop, I express gratitude. I silently tell the crop that God is giving it the strength to grow.

The Christian Science Hymnal includes these lines: "Green pastures are before me, / Which yet I have not seen" (Anna L. Waring, No. 148). This idea helps me remember that God has everything under control even though I haven't seen that fact fully expressed at this moment, when the ground is cracked and dry. I'm learning to open my thought to endless possibilities of the divine source of day-to-day requirements. A Christian Science practitioner has reminded me many times of God's provision, asking, "Do you have enough for today? Well, that's all you need."

My heart goes out to those who may feel desperate about their situation, and don't know where to turn—especially those who may be tempted to feel they don't want to live. I affirm they can find comfort in the fact that God's love always pours out toward them, and on everyone. He's able to meet our needs in ways we cannot predict.

For example, we've received an abundance of gifts, such as eggs, parcels from my local branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and a check through the mail from someone we didn't even know. Eventually, government legislation enabled Social Security payments to begin coming to us.

I've had to change from relying on crops for income, to relying completely on God as our source of supply. We had two earth dams excavated to catch water for domestic use. Another unexpected blessing came when a neighbor supplied us with water when our dams went dry. Our household polythene tanks hold 8,500 gallons of rainwater, and these have always had some reserve. I'm grateful for every drop of rain that falls. When driving past the dams, I've learned to declare my gratitude for God's supply of all that we need, rather than seeing how little water is left.

When I'm feeling down, God reminds me that I can keep going with His help, rain or no rain. Our farming practices have changed to "zero till," meaning that in order to conserve moisture, we only cultivate [till the surface soil] when we plant or fertilize. Maintaining hope and faith is essential to our remaining on the farm. Gratitude for what we have gives me the courage to continue on. When I visit my local church family each month, their loving, constant reassurance is a vital part of my continuing progress. I cling to the Bible's promise: "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25).

The Christian Science magazines, the Bible Lessons, and The Christian Science Monitor are my resources for the truths I use daily. Through everything, I have retained these subscriptions. The articles give me hope and reassurance that my Father truly is supplying our every need moment by moment. Another loved hymn says it all for me: