Good things rural living has taught me

    Over three years ago, we packed up our life and left Dallas, Texas, for Holyoke, Colorado — a tiny town 2.5 hours Northeast of Denver — for my husband to be the pastor of First Baptist Church. We left our family, our friends, and the comforts and amenities of the big city to follow God’s calling on our lives. It’s crazy how we didn’t even know Holyoke existed on the map.
    I remember when we first drove into town and feeling almost instantly refreshed looking at the wide-open spaces instead of the interstates that intertwined like spaghetti. This new way of life would be different — more simplified and involve less distractions. This lifestyle would give my soul room to breathe, to hone my talents and gifts, and allow my children to grow up around livestock, land and agriculture.
    And what I’ve found to be true is the joy God has given me living here. More than I could imagine.
    Rural living has taught me:
    — To slow down and savor the small things that don’t look so grand at first but are a treasure to behold.
    — That God has given us the gift of nature to praise him and delight in his glorious creation.
    — To love and serve the people right near me and to embrace how everyone is connected in a small town.
    — How to truly love people when you know a whole lot about them!
    — That God loves and pursues people in remote areas just as he does anywhere else.
    — That ministering in a rural area has its unique challenges and drama, but the joys outweigh the difficulties.
    — To greater appreciate when rain falls from the sky!
    Don’t get me wrong — there are days we miss the attractions of the big city. Just the other day my 7-year-old Rebekah said, “Mom, there’s MORE to do in the city. I miss the trampoline park, Chick-fil-A, and the Arboretum. I miss the buildings everywhere! And Target!”
    “But there’s so much in the country that’s so good for us,” I told Bekah. “The animals, community spirit, closeness to your school, parades, riding our bikes around town, walking to school, your friends, and you wouldn’t get to ride horses (her favorite animal) like you do here. There’s a lot to be thankful for.”
    She paused and didn’t say much, but I know deep down there are many things she loves about being here.

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