I love my home town, but...I've changed!

  

    I think it is interesting where people call home. Is it the place you grew up as a kid? Is it a place you live now? Is it a place you raised your family? Some people, especially here in the Midwest, never leave the place where they were born. Their roots are planted deep and they would never consider severing those roots. For me, I grew up, mostly, in the Huntertown area of Indiana, north of Fort Wayne. I say that knowing that I really only lived there while going to high school. My family moved a few times while I was growing up, so our roots weren't that deep. As adults, Stephanie and I moved around also due to work. We lived for quite a while in Elkhart, Indiana and I certainly have fond memories of that town. When we moved to Garrett, though, we set down roots and I am, and will always be a RAILROADER!

    When Stephanie and I retired from teaching (yes, I know Stephanie is NOT retired!) we left Garrett behind to travel and serve in ministry. Being on the road was great, but that doesn't mean I forgot about my roots in Railroader Country. I have to admit I left Garrett with some mixed emotions. As I have said, I love the town, MOST of the people, and I loved the students and families I got to work with at GHS. But, I left teaching with a little bit of bitterness, which has mostly faded away, and I can look back at my time at Garrett with great fondness! Garrett, Indiana will always be my home, even if I live 50 miles away in Bluffton, Indiana. 

I bring all this up because I was reading about Jesus' encounter with his hometown of Nazareth:

'Then he said, 'You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: 'Physician, heal yourself' -- meaning, 'Do miracles here in your hometown like those you do in Capernaum.' But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.'" (Luke 4:23-24)

I am not comparing myself to a prophet and certainly not comparing myself to Jesus. But, I often wonder why God did not specifically call me to serve him in Garrett. I love Bluffton, and I absolutely love the ministry God has called us to here in Wells County. I have no desire to leave and go back "home." 

As I reflect on why Bluffton, I realize how much I have changed, even over the five years since retiring. I have earned a Masters Degree in Biblical Studies, am in the process of Ordination, and my entire focus is on serving the Lord wherever he calls. That is a far cry from living in the Bateman Gymansium or following the Railroader athletic teams across northeast Indiana. My priorities have changed, and I love what I am doing. God has placed me here. I accept that and adore that he has chosen me for his purposes. 

I still have a great fondness for my hometown. I have grandkids who are Railroaders, and I love that they get to wear the maroon and blue with pride. But God put me here in Bluffton and not Garrett for some reason. He knows best. Maybe because it is easier to serve without all the baggage from the past. Maybe it is better for people to NOT have preconceived notions about me and maybe the list of enemies is quite a bit smaller. Whatever the reason, I love where I am and love serving the Lord, I really don't care where it is. 

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100:1-4)