Now I have never been one to carry the title “redneck”. As a matter of fact I’m very adverse to it. However, being from Virginia, I have settled into being called a country girl. There is a clear distinction between the 2, even if there are some similarities as well. For instance, I know what it’s like to run in the twilight of a summer’s night barefoot, with a mason jar full of lightening bugs.
I also know how to make a REAL glass of sweet iced tea and not the kind that comes from powder, but the kind that is made in a kettle and full of sugar 🙂 I do not think that a wedding dress should ever be in REAL TREE camouflage pattern, and I don’t think Wal-Mart is a fun place to hang out on a Friday night. I am a country girl.
Two weeks ago while I was in the small town of Maysville, WV, I was called something I’ve never been called in my whole life. “City Girl”. My new title was bestowed on me by Papa Hawk, he’s the patriarch of the Hawk family, and all around sweetest man ever! He gave me this title at the admittance that I had never tried deer jerky (or any real deer meat for that matter) and apparently I have not lived, being that I have never had squirrel gravy or squirrel brains, (Yes I said BRAINS). That last one made my stomach turn, but I told him if he cooked it for me and didn’t tell me what it was I would try it. After explaining that I would know what I’m eating because I would have to “crack the skull to get the goods out” I politely reneged on my previous statement, and told him I would be content to continue to eat names I trusted like, “Jimmy Dean”, “Purdue” and “Omaha Steaks”. Not so much Bambi or Scrat.
(look how cute and cuddly he is!)
A few months ago my friend Alisha and I met at a youth camp I’ve ministered at for the past 3 years. Her son was a camper and she came to help. I immediately noticed her eyes, they are this gorgeous deep ocean blue, and full of the love of Jesus. In fact her whole family has eyes like that. (The whole Hawk family is known for their eyes. They should be known for their hearts, that’s the real show stopper!)
(See what I mean? Ocean blue!)
We instantly became friends. Alisha loved the idea of The World Race and was behind me, 100%. A few weeks after camp had ended Alisha called me and said that she had a great idea. She wanted me to come and preach a youth revival in her small West Virginia town, and she was going to take up love offerings to help me raise money for my trip. I should have been stoked, but to be honest, I wasn’t as excited as I should have been. I should have been ecstatic. I should have been grateful. I should have been honored. But my first thought wasn’t any of those noble attributes. Sadly, my thoughts were selfish, and fearful. What if I don’t make enough? What if? What if? Thankfully I’ve learned that my flesh doesn’t get a say when it comes to God-sized opportunities.
“ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
I was in Maysville, WV from November 3-10th and after preaching 5 days in a row, praying my guts out and being surrounded by some of the most incredible children of God ever, I saw young people re-dedicate their lives to Jesus. I saw adults who have been saved for years have their passion for the Lord reignited. I saw senior adults weep at the testimony of a silly, selfish country/city girl who just wants to see this world changed with the love of Jesus. I’ve never seen or experienced more generosity in all my life. Even as I type this, I’m humbled, and grateful to be a part of a team of folks, who believe that the love of Jesus still changes lives. Maysville said that I blessed them… I would have to say, it was I, that was blessed by them.
