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People have asked me a lot since the latest, deadly tornado hit my home state again, if I missed my old Oklahoma home. I pondered, but didn’t really have to think about it. . .

 

Today I live in Kentucky. But for the first 25 years of my life, I lived in Oklahoma. I was born, bred, raised and eventually married in Tulsa. I moved to Arkansas for 4 ½ years; then back to Oklahoma in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City. My husband, two children and I lived there for 13 years. Nine years ago we moved to Kentucky. I cried for it felt it was at the other end of the world as far as I was concerned. My mom and others left behind in Oklahoma said to me, “Bloom where God plants you”. I’ve tried to do that. My home is wherever my husband is.

But. . .

When I hear of devastation in Oklahoma, my heart tears. There is just something about Oklahoma that is still in me. They say once you get the red dirt in you, it never leaves. All my extended family still lives there and that is a big part of it. I feel at home in Kentucky but part of my heart is still on the plains of Oklahoma, where the wind blows and the buffalo roam and the tornadoes rip through. When the devastating storms come, whether it be the literal winds howling or the bombs exploding downtown, my heart is with my “Okies” and I want to be there with them.

 

There is good and bad in all places. And in all places God resides. God is with those underneath the rubble of storms, in the winds of the storms, and in the beauty of the land, whether it be Oklahoma or Kentucky or anywhere else.

 

My heart cries out for the hurt in Oklahoma. My heart also cries out to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who mourns with us, comforts us, takes us by the hand and leads us, whether that be to aid or to heavens door. . .whether we live in Oklahoma or Kentucky or anywhere else.

 

The people of Oklahoma are strong people and they will survive and move on. Oklahoma has been dealt many tragedies, and the people always persevere and move on stronger than ever, helping one another and leaning on their faith in God. I believe they grab hold of His Righteous Right Hand and let Him lead wherever He does.

 

That’s how we should live; holding onto that Righteous Right Hand of our Lord and Savior. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere without Him. . .even if that means leaving my home and making it somewhere else. . .or even onto my real home waiting for me in that big open sky. I wonder if I’ll see a surrey with the fringe on top?

So, to the question that started this post. . .I am proud to be living in the great state of Kentucky now, but I will always have a soft spot for Oklahoma, for that is where my roots were planted. . .but I found out you can have your roots in one place and bloom in another. Because with God, that's just what HE does;)

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

The ones you brought home, I know are doing fine. I lift up the ones left behind and mourning the loss of loved ones, that they would be filled with unspeakable comfort and strength and so full of your love. May there be many arms with skin on to hug them and love them and support them through these first difficult days. May provisions be there for them, may all their needs be met. And may these dear ones stand up strong as the ones from the past have done, to move forward, never forgetting but living on with strength, living a life for you and for their loved ones.

May you be glorified and honored through all the selfless acts of helping that we see, the love being poured out on my beautiful home state and may it draw people to you that maybe have not been close before.

Father, thank you for being with me no matter where my home is, for where You are, there is my home. 

In Jesus Name,
Amen~

AND NOW. . .just a funny tidbit I don't think you would see anywehere else but Oklahoma.

there are some funny laws on the books there. . .

 

  In Tulsa, it's illegal to just tie your horse up anywhere, especially not on a utility pole. The law is so confusing that sometimes Oklahomans just bring 'em inside.

And there is football!

Oklahoma has one of the top-rated sports programs in the country. (Sooner football had an incredible 47-game winning streak)

And there is culture

The Tulsa Ballet is one of the best ballet companies in the U.S.

And there is music

One of the world's most famous musicals is named after the state.

And there are the proud Americans who get right back up

Its residents are some of the most resilient people around.

(pics from MSN)

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