New York has street-smart residents and tourists. The boundaries are not pure black and white; I know residents that have lived in New York for years that still fit the definition of tourists. In contrast, the South has its own special version of street-smart residents. To a New Yorker it might seem that the average Southerner is rather slow and possibly grasping for smarts, however the opposite is usually the case. Southerners seem to take life a little bit slower, with an intentional attempt at experiencing more without stress. In the end, who is from the backwoods?
Visiting the South is always an experience. I have relatives on my mother and father’s sides, however that only buys me a bit of courtesy, not admittance. It is clear to the locals that I am a Yankee with liberal tendencies. Everything about me tells the story. My speech, hurried pace, style of dress, hair, and even the way I drive all tell a story. If one gets into a conversation whatever my views are, they will tell even more details of the story I have never heard! Everyone who is from the backwoods knows the real heart of the story. I am exposed at ever corner!
God is always at your side and mine. God is there with an agenda, but He will not impose the results on us. It is easy to assume that God is a chump; weak and impotent given His repeated failures to make a difference in the world around us. Ironically, this is exactly the same mistake that most New Yorkers make when they come to the South! Remember, “Honesty lives confident and carefree, but Shifty is sure to be exposed.” (Proverbs 10.9)
People are people. We share common needs and desires. Our hopes and dreams come in different colors. It is important to remember that there is much more that we share than we can count as differences. Backwoods or harsh streets, we all thirst for love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. God wants to give each to you and I.
