Mom, Where’s Dixie?

I grew up just south of Vicksburg, arguably the very heart of the South.

On this farm, this very southern farm, I grew up running the green hills and valleys, I explored the woods, thickets, and creeks, discovered and explored ‘caves’, built all manner of forts, and, as I grew a bit older, rode my horse over every inch of the property. A true Southern farm boy I was.

My mother grew up on the same farm. Beautiful, humble, gracious, well-mannered, and proud, she was a true Southern Belle in every sense of the word. Once, when she was a young single lady, a photographer from Progressive Farmer Magazine took a picture of her out in the field, driving one of her daddy’s tractors; shortly after the picture appeared in print she received several marriage proposals via U.S. Mail. I mean, a pretty southern girl who can also drive a tractor, what more could any man ask for??

When I was about 5 years old I turned to my mother with a deep question that had been burning in my young head:

“Mom, where’s Dixie?”

I had heard song after song referring to this unknown, mysterious place; I had overheard almost daily conversations of family, friends, and neighbors who spoke of this obscure place. Where exactly was it? My mom looked down at me, and with a big smile said “Boy, you live slap-dab in the middle of Dixie!” And waving her hand in a broad sweeping motion, said “This is it, it’s all around you!”

I will never forget this loving interaction with my mother. So, this mysterious place I had wondered so much about, was quite literally all around me—and I didn’t even know it.

As I have gotten older I have come to realize that our Heavenly Father’s love for us is much the same. We have a Heavenly Father that quite literally surrounds us with His steadfast, all-encompassing love, His watch-care, and protection; yet often we feel alone, abandoned, anxious, discouraged, down, or defeated.

Consider the following scripture passages:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:2

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” Psalm 34:7

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

So, the next time you feel alone, the next time you find yourself deep in anxiety, depression, discouragement, or grief; the next time you question God’s presence, His engagement, His love…

His response, His promises, can be found in the Biblical passages above. Read them…read them again—commit them to memory.

And even when it doesn’t feel like it, rest comfortably, fully on the fact that you are “slap-dab in the middle” of the love and protection of your Heavenly Father!

Indeed, His love is all around you!

Never forget it.