Buffalo Flies and Bunnies

By Hally Franz –

Summer 2013 has generally been a cool, wet season in the mid-west. While my husband and I do not farm, we are smack-dab in the middle of farm country. And, I empathize with those who supply America’s food. One year is insanely dry; the next is damp. One year hay is in short supply, and the next it is plentiful, but cannot be harvested because the ground is too wet. That pretty much covers my knowledge of farming. Except this—due to this year’s climate, buffalo gnats have been horrible.

I’ve heard tales of ruthless buffalo gnats. They’re from the Simuliidae family and also called black flies. They can suck blood, cut human skin, cause allergic reactions, itch, cause swelling, and kill livestock and poultry. It has been a real challenge for those with animals to adequately protect them. Some 4-H youth even lost animals they planned to show at the county fair. The internet describes a variety of commercial and homemade solutions that may help attract (and trap) or repel these annoying creatures.

Closer to town, my son has a small garden in our yard, and he tells me he can’t keep rabbits out of his vegetables. I regularly ask if his harvest will actually yield something to eat, but he assures me the cotton-tailed rodents are terrorizing his plants. My mother supports her grandson’s claim. He has used marigolds in years past to repel rabbits from his garden. Though, he contends they become accustomed to the smell, and the flowers are no longer effective.

Wouldn’t it be comforting to have a fool-proof formula or technique for keeping bad influences, evil people, sin and hate away? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wall of protection around us, so we could not fall victim to the world? If we could buy or make that in a spray, who would not choose to?

Unfortunately, that magic mix or method does not exist. We must rely on our self-discipline, wisdom, discernment, prayer and God’s protection when faced with everyday conflicts of conscience. We must continue along doing our best to fight the enemy knowing that it won’t always work and there will be losses.

Take heart, though, struggling farmers and the faithful. When we fight battles against those who oppose us, we learn. We learn how to fend off bothersome buffalo flies and hungry rabbits. And, we grow stronger in faith.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, provide me wisdom, so I will recognize and run from evil influences in the world and in my life. Through Your word, help me to teach my children to do the same.

“Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies” (Psalm 141:4 NKJV).