Savannah

When I meet folks and answer the obligatory, “Where are you from?” question, I am unusually interrupted in the following way…

“I grew up in Savannah….”

“Oh, Georgia?” the other person says.

“No, Tennessee”

“Where is that?” comes the inevitable response.

I have rehearsed this line so many times its like clockwork. “Its where Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi all come together.”

Folks do not usually know about Savannah, TN.

It’s an interesting place.

It is a place I have taken for granted.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to go back home and preach at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Savannah. Upon reflecting on my short time being home, I have come to realize just how incredibly blessed I am to have been brought up in Savannah by two of the most ridiculous, incredible parents one could imagine.

I do not always see just how blessed I am…

As with most small-towns, Savannah certainly has a penchant towards conservatism that often manifests itself in folks holding some closed-minded ideas. I often found this frustrating.

However, I have come to realize that in reaction to what I saw as closed-minded thought, I can become equally as guilty if I choose to swing to the opposite end of the ideological spectrum. 

As I prepared to speak this past Sunday, I found myself presupposing folks’ response to my sermon. I tried to season my words to the nth degree. I assumed people might not enjoy my call to take up the cause of fighting for justice.

… the assumption of the haughty.

The outpouring of love and support I received yesterday was truly phenomenal. As I stood in the
back after the service, folks came by shake my hand. Person after person told me how much they appreciated what I had to say.

I thought back to my preparation…

“Well, people are not going to like this.” I thought.

… the assumption of the haughty.

Many of the members of Savannah FUMC came to show their support. First Cumberland Presbyterian welcomed me with open arms. Both were incredibly receptive and supportive.

I think about the beauty of this experience combined with my brief time at home with my family this

weekend.

Cindy Rogers shrieks every time she sees me, listens to me as I go on and on about the same thing for hours on end, and showed me a workout at Elite this weekend that still has my legs sore.

(Erin once you have put a little more effort into  an improved spirit of sibling congeniality I will fill in all your merits here :) Jk- Erin is cool)

Then there is Dad with his newest building project, his incredible stories about boats going through windshields, unknown chair craftsman, and his new and astounding penchant towards constant communication.

What an incredibly loving, supportive, absurd, awesome support network I have.

Savannah, TN was good to me this weekend.

Good work Savannah.

Thanks to all of those who were present yesterday. I hope I did not let you down :)