We've all been told, or at least heard someone say, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." yet we do it anyways. Sometimes we're spot on, but let's me real, most of the time we're dead wrong. Shelby Park is a neighborhood that is constantly judged by its "cover." From the outside looking in or even the occasional drive around the block Shelby Park looks dangerous. It looks unwelcoming and quite terrifying to anyone who as never experienced urban life. I have been here a little over a week now and I can say that Shelby Park is a much better neighborhood than what it is given credit for. People here are just like people everywhere else. They may not have as much money or live in up-to-standard homes, or have the nicest stuff but they are human...just like you and me. They have ups and downs, struggles and triumphs, families to support, things they like and don't like. At the same time, the people of Shelby Park are different. Their culture is different. That's right. Here in America there are people whose culture is different than yours and mine.
My first impressions of Shelby Park were much like those I described above. I judged the neighborhood based on what I saw and that was it. I knew that the people of Shelby Park would be different than me but I never really gave much thought to how similar our lives or personalities might be. God has already placed people in my life, who live in the community, who have similar backgrounds as me (minus a few $$$) but nonetheless we have that connection. All of this which has been revealed only fills me with joy and excitement to look back at this a year from now and see what all God has done in this neighborhood. He has already been working in the lives of the Shelby Park community and this has been happening for years, before any of us ever thought of coming and living as a resident of Shelby Park.
To God be the Glory!
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