Happily Proved Wrong.

Every time I think of Paragould, Arkansas, I think of the two years in which I was lonely and depressed. I felt like a girl that was pushed into a mold that just didn't fit. Those years were, to say it nicely...um...challenging?

I was different.

I knew it.

I embraced it, and therefore did not "fit in".

So, after going away to the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky, traveling back to Arkansas was never a fun ordeal. I would load up my car, then attempt take in as much of the wonderful countryside of Kentucky that lined the back roads on my drive home. "Why doesn't Arkansas look like this?" I'd think.

I would go home and despise how there seemed to be no change in altitude (Paragould is known for its lack of hills and its extreme flatness). I would look at Paragould's only major store, Walmart, as a sign of weakness. I would judge the drivers of big trucks, with big grilles, and bigggg cowboy hats.

Other than the fact I had to leave my family in order to return to Kentucky, I would look forward to being once again immersed in the beauty of those surroundings, much like a rather thirsty runner longs for that initial sip of hydrating, stimulating, and exhilarating h2o. It literally felt like a breath of fresh air.

However, Jesus has once again been reminding me that He did not just make Kentucky wonderful, but every single part of creation. I insisted this was not so. I mean, had He not seen Paragould? Come on.

But no, God not only saw Paragould, but He molded Paragould, and dwells in Paragould.

It's like I heard Him saying to me, "Listen Andrea, you are looking at this the complete wrong way. You are viewing this town through the lens of bitterness.  I made all things good, I did not pick and choose. The outdoors in Kentucky are no better than the outdoors in Arkansas, just as the people in Kentucky are no more wonderful than the people of Arkansas.

You need to take some time and look. Look not only at your surroundings, but look into the hearts of people you talk to everyday. Listen instead of speaking, and really listen to them. See what my love looks like manifested on the earth. It's not that it's absent, it's just that you are not looking close enough."

So, that's what I did. And let me tell you, was I proved wrong.

Here, take a look for yourself.

Ain't she purdy?

So, people starting looking at me really weirdly when I waltzed onto this persons' land, next to the main road mind you, and took pictures of their rusted farm equipment. Oh well.

The following shots were totally unplanned. I knew about this cool looking fence with cool scenery, and wanted to take pictures of it. When I got there, I saw a horse! I do not know his name, but I have dubbed him "Steve". He really really liked it when I petted his nose. I may or may not have had a little too much fun with and my camera :).

 Isn't Steve a cutie?

 Yea, he's pretty much a model.

 Is it weird that I have danced on these hay bales before? Yea, I didn't think so.

 The following are photos taken after I figured out there was a self timer application on my camera. Ah, the power of technology. Still amazes me.

Just had to do it. How awesome is that?

How awesome is it that all of these shots were taken right off a main road? Literally hundreds (ok, maybe a hundred...Paragould isn't that big) of cars drive by these wonderful snapshots of God's handiwork daily.

How blessed are we?

He gave this to us, He gave us this Earth. Just look at it! It's magnificent! I see how much I was taking for granted pretty much everything about Paragould. I was/am/probably always will be such a fool. What a gift God gave me, lovingly humbling me and my perceptions of all things "Arkansas".

The people of Paragould, having a small-town mindset, are extremely relatable. They are so warm and welcoming, with it being a regular occurrence for a complete stranger to address me as "honey", "dear", or "sugar". Never before have I heard the phrase, "bless their heart" more in my life. Everyone knows everyone, and they love it.

I regret my harsh judgements cast upon this place. It is quite quaint and homey in and of itself. Many thoughts were wasted as I planned how I would make this place different, better. Ha, who the heck did I think I was?

It no longer carriers a negative stigmatism in my mind. No, when I think of Arkansas, I think of...

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:20

Jesus does not solely exists in places where I have warm and pleasant memories. No, Jesus permeates through all creation, breaking all barriers, and shining into the darkest places. 

Sometimes, it just takes us opening our eyes to see Him.