I like to do a little bragging.
I’m from Kansas, and I love it.
We are called a flyover state, because everybody on the East Coast traveling to the West Coast (or vice versa) considers their life hipper or more important than the happenings of this sparsely populated, agriculturally based, midwestern valued place I call home.
I was actually born in Los Angeles, but made it to Kansas before I ever even started school. I grew up in a little place called Great Bend, but spent my summers with my grandparents in the suburbs of L.A.
As a pastor, speaker and motivator I’ve been all around the country and several spots around the globe.
So, my bragging isn’t from a position of ignorance.
I’ve been around the world and back, and I still love Kansas.
In Kansas, I know were not the Bible Belt, and as a preacher that would have its advantages. Actually, were more like the belly button just above the buckle on that belt. It puts us just far enough north to make church and Christianity a choice and not some heredity disorder, or social norm… in Kansas, you go to church because you want to, or you don’t go.
In Kansas, we don’t have any of those ivory towers of the ivy league’s elite to tout our intellectual prowess. Honestly, the more I read about what’s coming down from those lofty heights, I’m glad. Group think, political correctness and social conformity just don’t settle well here… in Kansas, we mix our education with a little common sense and we still think for ourselves.
In Kansas, we’re not backwood country nor are we big city, in the least. We are rural. It means we know how to survive, there’s a Walmart in the next city, we measure distance by time not miles, snow doesn’t bring us to a halt and summer heat is just part of the job, tornado sirens make us run to the porch, and we actually know what amber waves of grain are… they are beautiful. We are right in the middle: a little too far north to be southerners, a little too far south to be over cultured, a little too far east to be your version of cool and little too far west to be remembered… in Kansas, we’re right where we want to be, on our own.
Some may not like the description I am about to use, but I’m gonna use it anyway since I am from Kansas and not really concerned with your evaluation. I think of myself and fellow Kansas as ‘refined rednecks.’ We’re smarter than you think and tougher than you imagine.
Kansas is not perfect. There are still bullies in our schools, fights at city hall and gossip at the donut shops, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. These thoughts aren’t meant to offend anyone else from any other place. I hope you are proud of wherever you call home… if not, you should move here. Lot’s of space, good people, and I here there’s a great church.
So, go ahead world, keep flying over. We’ll just keep doing what we always do: living life, shaking our heads at the news and praying for everyone else out there.
Ad astra per aspera… sorry, it’s a Kansas thing.
Good stuff, I can’t wait for your book!
Amen Andy, I think that was well said. So thankful for what I have and that God blessed me with such a great place to call home. I miss you guys but know I am right where God has for me! Many Blessings!
I love it here too 🙂 My brother told me once “Of course you love living here…. it’s a simple town and your a simple person. He’s right. I’d rather be simple then complicated.
this is my favorite of all your blogs! (but i like all of them except one) – so well stated; you know i love our western neighbor (also a fly over state), but i am a life long Kansan and know i am where God wants me to be at this moment – there so much wonder and beauty. created by God, in Kansas, that most people have never seen; plus those that “fly over”, would have a hard time eating well without the “fly overs”
I will have to agree with your thoughts. I have lived in the overcultured south and I am thankful to once again call Kansas home. Its the small town feel with a great sense of community I never quite found down there. As a young person I could not wait to leave Kansas, but as a thirty-something… it is perfect! I am finding everything I ever thought I needed is right where I never thought it was. Kansas is a great state with great people.
I am a native Texan. Lived there all my life until the Lord moved me to KS. At the time I couldn’t figure out why. Now I know…..to show me there are other great states in the US. KS is great! I love living here! And yeah………there is a great church here!!
Although I have left Kansas to live near my daughter and her family, I am still proud of Kansas & the culture – and appreciate the values and independent spirit I was raised with and that are “pure Kansas”!. You have beautifully described the people and the ambience that is Kansas. Good job Andy!