Walk in the Woods

Daily Journal Nik Curfman Daily Journal Nik Curfman

Journal: #211 Pride for Royal Pines

At one point I began to feel a burden for them. I told the Lord, I felt like I should be doing something. Instantly He asked,”Isn’t life more than an outward appearance?” Yes. It is. The chain link fences and barking dogs are a sign they value something. Yes, they may be afraid of being robbed, but the presence of fear belies the presence of hope or self-worth. And, for the first time in my life, I felt a tinge of pride for Royal Pines.

I grew up in a working class neighborhood in northeast Columbia, South Carolina. It’s official name is Royal Pines Estates, which is a bit comical. My parents bought their house back in the mid-80’s, and have lived there ever since. They’ve seen many people move in and out. The character has remained the same. It’s a place full of immigrants, close to retirement baby boomers, and single parents families.

In an ocean of new housing, Royal Pines is a cheap option which lends itself to the current makeup. Most of the immigrants work in trades, and rents are affordable for the unskilled single parents and aging baby boomers. It’s beginning to change, but the neighborhood is mostly mobile homes built on sandy lots.

When I found out my dad had cancer I instantly thought about flying back to Columbia to be with my parents, to sleep in my room, and once again walk the side streets on my daily walks. It’s definitely not Redding, California. The sheer volume of trash littered from yard to yard is depressing, and each homes seems to guarded by a large all-too-willing-to-bark watch dog.

Over the last twelve days I’ve had plenty of time to observe my old neighborhood. I forgot how ashamed I was to live here; even though, I lived in one of the nicer brick houses. To be honest, I realized I was still ashamed to call this jumble of humanity my home. Why do the neighbors leave their broken TVs near the street? Why is there an empty cans of Chef Boyardee under the mailbox? Have these people no pride?

At one point I began to feel a burden for them. I told the Lord, I felt like I should be doing something. Instantly He asked,”Isn’t life more than an outward appearance?” Yes. It is. The chain link fences and barking dogs are a sign they value something. Yes, they may be afraid of being robbed, but the presence of fear belies the presence of hope or self-worth. And, for the first time in my life, I felt a tinge of pride for Royal Pines.

The world teaches us to focus on the negatives and flaws. It is a tactic of hell to judge by the outward appearance, but not the Lord. He doesn’t look at residents of Royal Pines the same way a cop or real estate agent might. He sees His kids, and He loves them.

Lord, bless the people of Royal Pines Estates. I pray for a covering over their lives to walk in the fullness of everything You create for them to be. May hopes be realized and dreams lived.

Amen.

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