Florida vs. Ohio
So I grew up in Florida, but I live in Ohio. For those of you who have been to Ohio, you already understand the joke. I don't even need to say anything. For those of you who haven't, let me explain.
Florida is the Sunshine State. Ohio is the Buckeye State, so named for the Buckeye tree, or fetid buckeye, which derives its unflattering name from the disagreeable odor produced by its leaves and twigs. It also produces poisonous flowers and nuts, which the locals named their football team after (naturally).
In Florida, we could go to the beach in our free time. In Ohio, we … well, actually I've lived here almost a year and I'm still not sure what Ohioans do in their free time.
Florida's largest city is Miami, which has South Beach. Ohio's largest city is Cleveland, which is also known as "The Mistake by the Lake."
Florida is part of the Bible Belt. Ohio is part of the Rust Belt.
In Florida, it's sunny all year round. In Ohio … not so much. I broke my sunglasses last September and didn't even notice until this week.
However, the one thing I'll give Ohio is this: I never realized the joy of spring until I got here. This week, which is what I'm counting as the first week of spring, has been glorious. Real sunshine every day (I didn't realize this until I got here, but there is "fake" sunshine, when the sun is technically out but you can't really tell; and "real" sunshine, when you have to squint to see.) Highs in the low 80s. Constant breeze. The leaves are back. Flowers are blooming. Frankly, it's beautiful.
I never appreciated the joy of spring in Florida. In Florida, you take the good weather for granted. Not in Ohio. When it's nice, you appreciate it.
Sometimes I feel that way about my faith. If things are going well and everyone is doing fine, I often find that I take the joys of the Lord for granted. I get lazy and forget all the amazing things He has to offer me. The peace of prayer, the quiet wisdom of His Word, the joy of worship.
But when things are going rough, when it's the winter season in life, I tend to hold on to those joys more tightly. I'm much more aware of them and the importance of them in my life. That's why I love the "Blessed Be Your Name" song from Matt Redman. It hits you at whatever part of life you are in.
This year, I'm going to try to focus on the Lord even when things are going well—and not take Him for granted. Here's hoping that whether you are in a winter or summer season in your life, you won't either.
posted by Editor at 1:06 PM
19 Comments:
I am a fairly new as a "New Man" subscriber, but am not sure how long I'll remain. This article was very offensive.
First let me say I was raised in Ohio and have just returned after living 20 years in Florida. I love both, consider both my home now and have family and ties in both states. Now my comments chronologically.
What "Joke" are you talking about in your opening statement?! Yes Florida has the Moniker "Sunshine State", but it is more just plain brightness not the "warm on your skin sun" Ohio has. And, it comes with daily tropical rains that if they don't flood you out of home just add to the 100% plus humidity that keeps you sweaty, sticky and stinky all day even after the needed 3 showers a day.
The humidity clogs all sense of smell. So, you can't smell any tree leaves even in the fall! Besides, that Buckeye definition must have came from an old dictionary. I have been around many buckeye trees and have never smelled a fetid odor. Also, the nuts are not deadly as commonly believed (Although we'll take it for the football team). And, there are historical reasons we are named after the Bukeye tree. But, since Florida lacks any real history compared to Ohio you wouldn't understand.
I Love the beach, but it IS seasonal, unless you want to melt and burn in sun and sand and humidity.
It seems that the people that move to Ohio and complain about nothing to do haven't went out to discover any thing to do! Aside from the ocean we have everything Florida has to do and Lake Erie serves we'll enough in the summer for an ocean atmosphere. The "mistake by the lake" is an insult from outsiders, not used by us proud Ohioians!
Ohio IS considered part of the midwest bible belt. Get your facts strait! And, Florida is often consdered Sodom and Gomorha (sp?).
Winters in Florida are mostly rainy and can be very cold! If you want to spend time outside in Florida you have to work around the fire ants, snakes, scorpians, gators, roaches and other bugs, and tons of humidity that never breaks.
Therein lies the advantages of Ohio, despite colder and snowy winters, we have 4 seasons! Three of those seasons are much more pleasant to spend outdoors than in Florida! I am able to spend aboout 80% more time outside in Ohio than in Florida, because of the humdity there.
Although I love spring in Ohio, I would also have to disagree on Florida's spring not being enjoyable. Spring in Florida is when you get your most days with any low humidity levels, and the Dogwoods and Azaelas are in bloom making it a lovely time of year there.
I would suggest you actually get out in Ohio-say maybe to one of are great state parks or national forest and take in a deep breath and enjoy the fresh air and smells that our creator has made here in God's country. Smells that would never cut through Florida's humidity. Also, take a walk in nature-without fear of the creatures I have already metioned. For an article that is suppose to be bringing men togther surely you can do better than insult many of your readers by degrading part of God's creation-the Great State of Ohio!
OH-IO!
No offense is intended to my Florida brothers as I have many good things to say of Florida, but felt the need to defend Ohio here.
Anonymous,
You missed the entire point of the post. Go back an re-read it (pay close attention to the latter half of it!).
Anonymous, I think you took too much offense at this. He used this differences in a way to point out something about our relationship with God, the same way Christ would use parables. Perhaps if you had lived in Minnesota or Arizona instead, you would have focused on his message rather than trying to defend your state. Keep in mind that he was using things to point out things that we should be conscious of, and what I'm asking you to be conscious of is God's constant, eternal love not only for you, but for the writer of Florida vs. Ohio. That young man didn't mean to offend you. Practice some forgiveness here. I didn't see or feel the type of love and forgiveness in your letter that Christ would have extended towards you. Oh, and by the way, I'm also from Ohio.
I've found that everywhere I go is wonderful, as long as I bring Jesus with me.
Love New Man, but OUCH on the rips on our city and state..Remember God loves us all..no matter how "rusty,smelly or big of a mistake we are"
Love ya,
Rick from Cleveland
My husband showed me your article last night and I have to say it was very offensive. One of the greatest things about living in Ohio is the sense of community. There are generations of families living here...people who choose to stay and have their own families here. Our family home goes back to the early 1800's and a member of my husbands family has always lived in the home. How many people can say that! The neighbors know each other and care about each other. We have friends that just had to move to Florida. The sun and the beach are the only things they have good things to talk about. Florida has a whole host of problems that Ohio does not have. And not to mention our wonderful seasons. Just when you get sick of the hot humid weather, the cooler breezes come and the trees change their color and you see the creativeness of God. Then the white of winter comes, a time for all of us to slow down, snuggle up with our families and spend a lot of time together. By the end of Feb-Mar we all get cabin fever and things change again to green rolling hills, and flowers blooming everywhere and the whole cycle begins again. Ohio is a great state to live. Florida is a nice state to visit but after a week or two of that hot humid oppressive heat - I'll take Ohio any day. Just take it easy on Ohio - OK?
I understand how some native Ohioan's could be slightly offended by this article. We all feel this way someone highlights the unflattering parts of something dear to us - especially without giving equal effort to extol it's positive qualities. But I read this to be a slightly silly and humorous comparison of the two states (instead of a travel guide) serving only as a reference to a larger and much more significant point.
So let's all look beyond this slight 'offense' and meditate on the point that the editor was making. Feel free to give him some good-natured ribbing about the Sunshine vs. the Buckeye states, but as Christians we should always be seeking those things that unite us - not nitpicking on the things that divide us. Besides, this debate will be a moot point in a couple years when Florida is wiped off the map with a couple more hurricanes and rising waters dues to global warming. :-p
PS - I've driven through Ohio in March a couple years ago and didn't find it very scenic. But my business travels will take me to Columbus this month and Cleveland in July, so show me what you've got Ohio!
I too am a Buckeye who moved to Florida 3 years ago from the country to Palm Beach County - the city!!! I live 6 miles from the beach, but am not a swimmer, so we don't spend a lot of time there. We moved here because of the leading of the Lord. I didn't realize how good I had it in Ohio till I moved. But, I will be here until the Lord leads otherwise.
I know your article was not about Ohio specifically, it is about not taking our faith for granted and just resting on it until it is needed. Our relationship with the Father requires a daily communion in order to keep it strong and vibrant. I've learned that over the years. So, it was a good illustration, but wished you had picked on another state!!! And, I would much rather drive in Cleveland or Columbus than Miami!!! Go Buckeyes!!!
Tom
My Ohio home is truly in "God's Country." Thank you for pointing out one of the many things for which I am grateful.
2 points of order:
1. The term "Buckeye" is NOT derived from any odor (where did the writer get that?). The buckeye nut resembles the eye of a deer (a "buck"), hence, a buck's eye.
2. Ohio's largest city is Columbus. FYI
I enjoy the 4 seasons, and can appreciate the point of integrating Ohio's weather vs. Miami's into the lesson.
Florida doesn't have history? How about St. Augustine? Isn't it the oldest city in the whole country? Not to mention, it has a Ripley's Believe It Or Not and good fudge shops. Oh, yeah and it's not too far from the shark bite capital of the country!
I've never lived in Ohio but I've had plenty of friends from there and they didn't seem to be too sour, so I guess it's okay. I have lived in Georgia and Tennessee and they're awesome!
Why do you think the carolina's are doing so well, it is populated with "half backs" the rest of the people who did not move back north and only moved half way back home.They found out the cost of living is so expensive in Florida and it is not what they thought it would be.
You forgot to call us a fly over state in your article like those on the coasts do.
I hope you discover Ohio is a great place to live and raise a family.
Hey everyone, this is Chris. I'm glad to see the Ohians coming out in full force defending their state. Well done.
Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that the first half of my column this week was completely tongue-in-cheek and was used simply as a way to illustrate my point. I've found the people of Ohio to be welcoming and friendly, even though they think I'm weird for wearing flip flops everywhere. I hope no one was seriously offended.
But let's keep the debate going. No one has brought up the fact that Ohio has the Pro Football Hall of Fame, or that Florida has Disney.
I am a female subscriber my husband also subscribes to New Man. I must say these postings were very interesting to read. Pride is splattered all over the place. I live in Texas, and would defend it and my native Texans but as I read from a few postings, the writers intentions were not to offend but to illustrate how we as humans so quickly forget what should be our focus. Not the pride we take in our team of choice, or the states we live in and love. It is about the love and grace our Heavely Father pours over our lives daily. It was a humorous way to remind us to stay in constant communion with HIM. I hope that as brothers and sisters in Christ we can all rise above this and see it for what it was intended to do. Christ loved to laugh too! I know this because he poured that into me as well.....smile....it really isn't as bad as all that.
I am the person from the first comment. To those that have critized my post. No I didn't miss the point of the article, but perhaps you missed my point. The writer made his "point" by offending and critizing a whole state of people. Where is the Christ-likeness in that?! As far as forgiveness, I habor no ill feelings to the author and to insinuate such is silly and condeming on your part. I attacked his article and defended my state. If he can not handle that then my point is made (think twice before you patently offend). This is my last comment, because really the whole nation is under the curse of Adam until Christ returns and retores all things, and I think Christ prefers Jerusalem. :) Take it easy brothers.
For those who feel the need to get "offended" by the comments on Ohio: You're missing the point! I live here in Ohio and I am not offended in the least. I absolutely cannot believe at how easily so-called "believers" allow themselves to get offended! The only thing that should "offend" us is that multiple millions are dying every day and are on their way to a burning hell, forever and totally separated from God.
The point of the article has NOTHING to do with Ohio, but everything to do with God. Why are we majoring on minor things and minor on the major things?
Thank you for your column as it was very well received here. As a person who lives just outside "the mistake on the lake", I understand where you were coming from and what your words were intending to do. Forget the others and just keep sharing what's on your heart!
I was born and raised in Ohio. Most of my family is still there. I almost felt a twinge of wanting to defend the land of my nativity. Almost. What can I say? Ohio is a great state to be from!
Interesting. I am from Ohio and now live in Florida. I hate Florida. I lost my home in Ohio and had to move here. Having been here six years I still have not adjusted, and don't think I ever will. It took losing what I had to really appreciate it. Only by the grace of God can I survive. I trust that even though I am not where I want to be, God can work it out for my good.
After 2 months in Florida, it's great to be home. Beach people are pigs, they trash everything with their litter, leaving the park workers to clean up, after them. Never have seen so many fat white women with blacks and Spanish men. Tattoos and muffin tops must be in, since they are everywhere. Great to be back in Ohio where the great women are.
I believe home is where the heart is, no matter where you choose to live. I lived in Ohio just over 42 years & now I live here in Florida almost 15 years, so how old does that make me... almost 57 in less than 2 months. I walked almost 2 miles to grade & high schools in the freezing cold winters in Ohio. I was tough back then, yet still had frozen legs when I got to school. Only half way through my senior year in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio were we allowed (Females) to finally wear slacks to school. In 1993 my youngest daughter moved to Florida with my first grandson, AND That was one of the hardest things I had to do in my life... was to watch them leaving on a plane away from me. On my 42nd birthday, I rec'd a birthday card from the my daughter, her boyfriend & my grandson, with a picture of them. I broke down crying & said "That's it" I'm moving to Florida. And... that is what I did. Now I have 3 lovely grandchildren & the 2nd one was born on my birthday. No matter where I live, the sunshine is always in my heart & MAKE THE BEST OF EVERYDAY!!!
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