What does God, church and a pickup truck in a small town say to you?
One of my favorite Facebook followers and reader sent me this picture yesterday and said she thought I might like it. Occasionally she sends beautiful pictures like this one and I try to picture it in my mind and describe what it says to me. And after a number of days of politically-charged blogs, I think now is a good time to lighten things up and do just that. It will offer a change of pace and focus and allow me to think about lighter and brighter things and the glory of God which means so much to me.
Now a description of the picture is an easy one. It is obviously a beautiful day in the fall, when the leaves are turning with the majesty that nature provides and the location looks like a very nice small town where people are friendly and most folks know one another and are kind. The beautiful and well kept traditional white clapboard church is likely a centerpiece of the town and its Christian neighbors and in the house right up the street lives someone who loves and drives an older Ford pickup truck. So, that of course, is what is in the picture, but what does it really mean?
I believe it tells me this. Since the church is likely the centerpiece of the town, the owner of that old truck likely lives in the house to the right of the tree in the picture, and that owner likely is an attendee of that church. That owner, likely a man with family enjoying life in that pristine neighborhood, probably walks to church each Sunday with his family, after which they return home and enjoy a family dinner before spending the afternoon enjoying each other before preparing for the new work and school week. They probably hold traditional family values and believe the Word of God as written and require no fancy explanations. And they are careful with their money, hence retaining the old truck which is kept well maintained for his work. He is also not likely a wealthy man by the world's standards, yet he consider himself very rich, indeed, for his wealth is measured by what is inside his heart and the love that he feels and also provides for his family. But why, oh why does this picture touch me so?
It all boils down to this. It reminds me of my boyhood days, growing up in a small but bustling city where everyone could be found shopping downtown on Saturday and they were all kind and generous with others. Many knew one another, but even when they did not the would smile and wave and even talk together wherever they might be gathered. And then on each Sunday, the traditional downtown churches, covering nearly the gamut of Christian Catholicism and Protestantism, where all were comfortable with each other and tried to live as Christ would have us do. And Sunday afternoons, following that wonderful mid-day meal was one of rest, visiting with family and friends and just savoring the beauty of the day, much like what was likely in the pictured small, picturesque town. And somehow I think sadly that it is a glory to never be seen again and it truly makes me sad. But, it still will always give me hope that maybe there is a way to bring it back. That is my wish today, that American returns to her roots and turns her gaze away from today's anger and hate, and come together with love and respect for one another. And yes, I am truly a dreamer, but I ask what is the matter with that if the cause is a great one? Perhaps I just answered that, but I can hope and pray, can't I? Search your own heart as you go through the day. God bless.
Now a description of the picture is an easy one. It is obviously a beautiful day in the fall, when the leaves are turning with the majesty that nature provides and the location looks like a very nice small town where people are friendly and most folks know one another and are kind. The beautiful and well kept traditional white clapboard church is likely a centerpiece of the town and its Christian neighbors and in the house right up the street lives someone who loves and drives an older Ford pickup truck. So, that of course, is what is in the picture, but what does it really mean?
I believe it tells me this. Since the church is likely the centerpiece of the town, the owner of that old truck likely lives in the house to the right of the tree in the picture, and that owner likely is an attendee of that church. That owner, likely a man with family enjoying life in that pristine neighborhood, probably walks to church each Sunday with his family, after which they return home and enjoy a family dinner before spending the afternoon enjoying each other before preparing for the new work and school week. They probably hold traditional family values and believe the Word of God as written and require no fancy explanations. And they are careful with their money, hence retaining the old truck which is kept well maintained for his work. He is also not likely a wealthy man by the world's standards, yet he consider himself very rich, indeed, for his wealth is measured by what is inside his heart and the love that he feels and also provides for his family. But why, oh why does this picture touch me so?
It all boils down to this. It reminds me of my boyhood days, growing up in a small but bustling city where everyone could be found shopping downtown on Saturday and they were all kind and generous with others. Many knew one another, but even when they did not the would smile and wave and even talk together wherever they might be gathered. And then on each Sunday, the traditional downtown churches, covering nearly the gamut of Christian Catholicism and Protestantism, where all were comfortable with each other and tried to live as Christ would have us do. And Sunday afternoons, following that wonderful mid-day meal was one of rest, visiting with family and friends and just savoring the beauty of the day, much like what was likely in the pictured small, picturesque town. And somehow I think sadly that it is a glory to never be seen again and it truly makes me sad. But, it still will always give me hope that maybe there is a way to bring it back. That is my wish today, that American returns to her roots and turns her gaze away from today's anger and hate, and come together with love and respect for one another. And yes, I am truly a dreamer, but I ask what is the matter with that if the cause is a great one? Perhaps I just answered that, but I can hope and pray, can't I? Search your own heart as you go through the day. God bless.
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