June 08, 2007
Chattanooga Is My Hometown
Im supposed to leave my hometown of Chattanooga this Sunday. Today was my last day at work. Tomorrow I pack my bags and see friends, and then Sunday I get in my car and drive away. And you know what? Today, I came pretty dang close to changing my mind. I was actually meeting with my pastor and an elder from my church today and about halfway through our conversation I was ready to say, "Thats it guys! Im staying!" The thing is, I truly do love this town. I love it more than any other place Ive ever lived. I have spent the majority of the past seven years living here, and the relationships I have formed here are the most important I have ever known. This town and the people in it have changed me and shaped me into who I am today. There is no doubt about it.
Its funny how discontent I can be here at times, how completely restless, yearning for that greener grass in some other city. But you know how it is. There is something about the fact that when you know you are finally going to leave a place, you love it more than ever. I have certainly been experiencing this.
For the past few weeks, my life here has seemed sweeter and I am finding that I really am thankful, so incredibly thankful, for my family, my friends, my job, my church and all of the other little things that make up my life here. I have really been enjoying these things more, and Im kicking myself because "Why couldnt I have enjoyed these things more in the past?" Why is it always right before I leave that I start to see how great Ive really got it?
A big part of me is starting to panic. Do I really want to leave this place? I have more friends here, and quality friends at that, than I might ever have again in one place. My whole family is here. I go to a church where I have the kind of relationship with my pastor and elders that is greater than what I might reasonably dream of anywhere else. I have a sweet life here! I really do. I just dont see it most of the time because I get too blinded my anxieties. But something tells me, that until the new heavens and new earth hit, Im not going to find a better home than Chattanooga. I am absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude that the Lord gave me the years that he has given me here. I look forward to the time I might still have here in the future.
But life demands that we move on sometimes and take some risks. And Boston is a risk that I want and think I should take. But Im not in Boston yet. And so while Im still here, I think Im going to post this, a song about how no matter how hard things get, your hometown is still your hometown. Its in honor of my favorite, most beloved city in the world:
Posted by todd at June 8, 2007 07:46 PM