LIMA: Lost in Middle America, Part 2

Last Friday's post featured the first half of the PBS documentary Lima: Lost in Middle America (and What Happened Next), which chronicled the "rise and fall" of our community.

Despite the turmoil and obstacles depicted in the documentary, it is important to realize that Lima is a microcosm of our country. Yes, we are suffering economic hardship. Yes, you can see this in the homes left derelict and in disrepair. But we are also a vibrant and resilient people. So, how do we make this known?

We need to re-instill in ourselves a pride in our community, in our neighborhoods, in each other. This pride is not the pride that that Proverbs says to hate (8:13), but the type used in Psalms when It says, "We put pride in the name of Lord our God" (HCSB 20:7). This type of pride is a trust--a trust in God, a trust in our community, in our neighborhoods and in each other. If we each take pride in not only, our homes--and not just their outward appearances--but in the homes of our neighbors, then we make others think twice about destroying or debasing our community. We encourage others to come and build up. We make the foundation for a greater Lima. We make it so Lima can be found in Middle America.

Following is the conclusion to the PBS documentary, but it is only the prologue for Lima's story. What happens next is up to its citizens.