OK, for those who have bad memories of living in a suburban environment, I’m sorry for the article title trigger! From my perspective, however, that title is not a trigger, and it depicts my thoughts and feelings towards the last 40 years or so in the D/FW area. Rachel has longed to live in the country for years, as she was born in the D/FW area and lived here her entire life. I’ve lived in the country at different times in my life, and somewhat understand the beauty and the beast that dwells there. There are places on earth that approach the beauty we think exists in heaven, but we know through Scripture that this earth has been corrupted from its original beauty. Thus the beast element will even exist in those places that one may deem the perfect environment.

Rachel and I have traveled much in our lives here in America and overseas and experienced places where we could easily spend our lives, where the beast is not evident, but here we stay as a locus for our family that is now spread out in different states. Thankfully we have friends and relatives that remain close to us in this local area which pulls like a magnet on my heart for staying put.

With retirement now a reality, we enjoy doing things together we did not have time for before with our commitments and obligations. Intentional is a keyword for these times. In the past we flowed with our choices of career, financial obligations and the kids activities. Once a decision was made to participate in something, it generally meant that time was no longer available for intentional serendipity. That has changed now with this stage of our life. Visits to the kids and grand kids, visits to friends, community events, local friendships and volunteer activities are all now on the table for intentional decision making.

One of the underlying effects of living in a suburban environment is the subtle changes that happen all around, the flow of progress and regression that is constant where there are many people in various stages of life. This environment provides a fertile place for intentional friendships, volunteerism, and a variety of perspectives that are a constant reality. Rural life has a certain attraction with consistent, dependable experiences that one can have when fine tuned in with how God works through nature to reveal Himself. Suburban life does not have the beauty and perspective of gazing into a starry clear night, but it does, in a different way, show how God works through His creation to reveal Himself through the potential of a large variety of people and relationships.

We just completed Municipal and School board elections here in our area of Texas, and I am happy that some good people were elected into office by majority vote. It was still a mixed bag from my perspective on some of the races in neighboring cities. This is the “apple cart upset” effect that suburban areas go through as people become more or less interested in how governing should be done that directly affects them and their families. Being in a suburban area forces one to develop and bridge relationships between a variety of people in order to firmly establish elected governing authorities that adhere to and honor God in public laws and policy.

It is easier to separate oneself from influences that are uncomfortable by living in a place where there are few relationships, and some would say that Scripture teaches this (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:11). Scripture also demonstrates that we are to be “light” and “salt” bearers to those around us, even near the gates of Hades (Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:16-20). Each person’s reasons and resulting choices in this matter will ultimately be revealed in eternity. For now, Rachel and I continue the discussion on this theme, bathed in prayer and reflection of what motivates our hearts and actions in where we should live together for God’s purposes to flow through our lives. For now, it is suburban bliss, but bliss is actually the veneer of joy, which is the actual well spring of life for those who love God. What is God speaking to your hearts about where you live?