The Mississippi River is rising.
It starts as a trickle in Northern Minnesota at Lake Itaska, and is little more than a creek that you could walk across. But as it winds its way, it picks up the water from a thousand tributaries, big and small.
After record snowfall this winter, the water is pouring into the mighty river. Now it’s threatening Baton Rouge and New Orleans, who certainly don’t need to see any more water ever again.
To solve the threat, the Army Corps of Engineers will open up the levee, allowing the River to flood Cajun country. Soon, much of the area will be under 20 feet of water. The peaks of homes will be all that’s visible for weeks to come, drowning out the dreams of more than 25,000 families.It’s been more than four decades since this emergency action had to be taken. People had forgotten that they lived in a place that could be deluged. They built homes and planted gardens, repaired fences and installed new tile. They painted the new babies room blue and organized the tool shed. They lived normal lives and forgot.
It’s a necessary thing, to sacrifice a few for the sake of many. We all understand it, unless it’s your home — your dream.
What will I be asked to give up today, so someone else can succeed?
Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.
Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert
Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert
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