This was his Georgia

“This was his Georgia.” – Quote for placard on location.

This is a panorama shot of Dowdle’s Knolb in Pine Mountain, GA. This is Franklin D. Roosevelt’s favorite spot…This is my grandfather’s (Grandy) favorite spot. In, in many senses, this is MY favorite spot.

I have many memories of this area; family memories, personal memories, and spiritual memories. I remember my family visiting here when I was a child. I also remember my family visiting here when I was an adult. This very spot (above) is where I prayed when I felt that I was being called into ministry. I could see a rain storm coming in over the far right hill.

I can remember having pictures taken of my by my mom and dad when I was just a little kid.

This spot is special….

They have added a new memorial for FDR, I like it. I respect FDR, I don’t really agree will all his politics, but he tried to change the world…and he did. In many good ways. I want to change the world too. So did my grandfather. And Grandy did change the world. When Grandy gets to heaven, THAT will be an amazing sight…all of the people who were changed because of one man. He changed me. I will always remember the lessons he taught me.

And today, I got to share this spot with my wife Sarah. It was a beautiful day and I got to spend it with some of my new family. But I got to go back to a place that I was not sure if I ever would be able to visit again. And it was bittersweet.

I am not the young man I was 10 years ago, praying in the back of a Jeep, desperately trying to discern God’s call for my life. Smoking a cigar in the middle of a rain storm and reading Scripture about serving, teaching, and loving God will all your heart and soul.

This is a special spot. I would hope that you might visit it someday. This was his Georgia, and it’s my Georgia.

I thank God for days like today.