A tornado recently came through and hit my college town, my home away from home. Because of this I have been thinking of the way I was raised and how the placement of that raising was so important. In my opinion, there is no better place to grow up.
1. I was taught to be neighborly.
When you're raised in the south you are taught to make sure you know who your neighbors are and to have relationships with them. You are taught that you need to help take care of your neighbors when things go wrong and then in return they will help you when you need it to.
Everyone around the Jacksonville community has stepped in to help those who have lost everything. People are helping in ways from donating money and clothes and supplies to actually getting out there and chopping up trees and rescuing people who were trapped in their homes.
2. And everyone is your neighbor.
For all you people who weren't raised in the south, a neighbor is not simply just someone who lives next to you. Your neighbor is someone, anyone, in your community that you know, or do not know. A neighbor could be someone that shops in your family business. A neighbor could be teacher at your local elementary school.
A neighbor could be the homeless man that sits outside the grocery store in your area. A neighbor is anyone who needs your help. You can see this in the many different schools that have set up pages for people to donate to JSU to help the university rebuild. These people saw that their neighbor was in need and jumped into action to help.
3. I was raised to believe in a higher power.
Where I am in the south is known as the "Bible Belt". This is because we are a highly religious area and most people identify with some sort of Christian beliefs. Growing up in a place like this has taught me that we are never alone even when we feel like we are.
I can have peace in times of trouble because I know that God is there to take care of me. I mean, you can't tell me that God wasn't with JSU in the fact that the tornado came through during our spring break when there was virtually no one on campus.
"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart for I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33
4. And food can make everything better.
Last but not least, the most important lesson I learned from the south is that no matter the problem a good casserole from a caring neighbor can make you feel so much better. It won't solve your problems and it's not a cure all, but lets be honest when that sweet old lady from down the street brings you a plate of freshly made cookies....life gets a little better.
