"If you find yourself here, on my side of town I pray that you'd come to my door."

She ran to the door, and jumped into his arms. Like she had known him for her entire four years of life.  And he felt the same way. 

photo by Shannon Conner

She held tightly to his shoulder, as he spoke with her mother about her battle with AIDS. Her mother will not live much longer, but this beautiful child is too young to know the depth her illness. So she clings to life, because that is what children do. And the moment that she is forced to stare death in the face, she will cease to be a child. 

So upon hearing this story, I quickly hoped that this beautiful child would be returning with Thomas on the plane so she could remain a child...at least for a little while longer. And then I had to stop and ask myself, "what would she receive here as a child of God that she will not receive there?" She is a CHILD OF GOD, and His love is as vast as the ocean. 

I got this picture last night at 2:30am and was immediately taken by the only legible word that seemed to bridge the space between Thomas and Jordanna (I believe this is her name). LOVE. 

He said he had to leave her yesterday. He sounded a bit defeated, maybe a little wounded. But still hopeful. He has the heart of Christ so I know that love will carry him home as it continues to bridge the space between. 

love deeply. 

"I'll be leaving Tennessee on the first plane."

"Tennessee, you've been good to me 

Yes, I've come to believe you're where I wanna be 

You may not be what everybody needs 

but Tennessee, you're good enough for me 

I can see stars shining in your night 

Your daytime seems like Cash and Patsy Cline 

They may not be what everybody needs 

But they touch my soul 

That's good enough for me 

It's been ten years now, and I'm rooted in your soil 

I am rooted in your soil 

Give me ten more years, I'll be rooted in your soil 

Right here in your soil 

You may not be what I will always need 

But I call you home 

If I can call you home 

Then you're good enough for me" 

-Mindy Smith

I never allowed these words to mean more than song lyrics. I can't say that I ever wanted Tennessee to feel like home. But it does. So, as I pack my things and sleep in a different Tennessee city each night, I realize how connected my heart is to the place that I have feared to call home. Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Johnson City, Knoxville, etc. 

They may not be what everybody needs, but they touched my soul and that's good enough for me.

Tennessee, you will always be home to me. So this isn't goodbye, just "see you later!"