Hometown Glory

There's something about your hometown. Whether you grow up living there all your life or move away and come back every once in a while for a visit, it is the a feeling you get when you cross over into the city limits - the city limits of "home".  It's nothing magical in appearance, there aren't any skyscrapers or parks, there aren't any shopping malls or high end restaurants, but it's home. The place I call home is Boaz, a small town located in northeast Alabama. There are some perks however, being from a small town. . .you know most of the people you meet on the road but if you don't, they still wave; your neighbors and your neighbors' neighbors will help you in a time of need no matter what the situation; you know the ease of selling when it comes to being a member of a local school organization (cheerleading, band, sports team, etc), you sell the discount cards/poinsettias, fruit boxes by simply walking up to someone's doorstep and having small town chat with the neighbor in order to get them to support your cause or just posting it all onto your Facebook pages. The town loves their people. But most importantly you will know what a true sense of "community" feels like - how it feels to have the entire town come support the sports teams (whatever season) in the championship round; how it feels to have the Christmas parade and know almost every single person in attendance; and how awesome is it to watch the small town of Boaz, Alabama rally behind individuals going through hardships. There is nothing like it if you ask me. 

I have not actually lived back in my hometown since going off to college. Do I go back? Of course I do - it's home. I know that wherever life's journey takes my husband and I in the years ahead, our small town will always be welcoming us back with open arms, waves, and smiles. People go off to college. People leave to serve in the military. People get married and move across the state or to another state. People leave for new job opportunities or just to have a different life experience. Life happens. But our hometown will always be our "town" we call "home". Whether you want to admit it or not, we are some of the most spoiled people in the world yet we would never think about it until we move away and see and experience "city life". Trust me on this! After living in a busy city for the past several years I have really come to appreciate the small town. You miss the waves, the smiles, the sense of community pride and togetherness, and the feeling of home.

"Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you"

Hebrews 13:5