Thankful to be an American and live in Northwest Georgia
My husband and I had a three-week unexpected trip to Germany for a family emergency. It wasn’t an easy or enjoyable trip, but I learned a lot. I learned our country is blessed in so many ways and in North Georgia, we are blessed tremendously.
Every day we would walk into the small city and pass people along the way. We would speak, but most would look away or at best give us a head nod. Most people seemed unhappy, tremendously reserved or both. On occasion within those three weeks, someone would actually smile or carry on a conversation, but that was rare.
Here in the South, we can talk for hours and not even know the people. We are friendly and enjoy getting to know our neighbors and new people and our hospitality is beyond anywhere I have traveled. I am thankful for that.
One evening we had din- ner with Sister Maria-Regina from the Convent in the town where my in-laws live. She is such a dear lady, 75 years old and full of energy and love. She was a true blessing while we were there.
I asked her, “Why do I see so many statues of Jesus on the cross on every street corner, downtown and every location I go, but I don’t see the heart of Jesus in these people?” She agreed and answered me with, “We, the Germans, have much and because we have in abundance, we take Jesus for granted.” She said during the World War’s, the need was so tremendous, the people knew they needed a God and believed, but then things got easy and over time He has been forgotten or taken for granted. As they began to have more of everything they became less and less spiritually. That country seems so dark in so many ways. I pray we, as a country, don’t become so blinded.
We were surrounded by terrorist attacks while we were there and the desire to come back to the U. S. was great. We may not be without troubles, but compared to other countries, we are blessed.
I also believe that because North Georgia is considered part of the “Bible Belt” we are much more blessed here. People may laugh and joke about this, but because of this fact, a large part of our community was praying us to Germany and safely back home to the U.S. in those three weeks. I think when people are in need and have to step out of their comfort zone, they may appreciate those that live in the “Bible Belt” area of the South. I know I am blessed to get to reside here. There is such comfort in knowing many people are lifting you up in prayer.
When we arrived in the Atlanta airport, the employees were friendly and welcoming, something we did not experience in Germany’s airport, planes or trains. The people waiting in the airport for family and friends were smiling and the families within our community gave thanks to God for our safe return.
Then as we do in the South, our friends prepared a meal for our family so we could be comforted and fed during these rough times. There is no place like the South and no place like Walker County in all of the world to me. God thank you for placing me here in this community and continue to bless all of us.
So in short, while traveling abroad again, I realize and remember there is NO PLACE LIKE THE UNITED STATES AND NO PLACE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES LIKE THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS!