I have to give Crenshaw County credit where credit is due. In the six short months that I have served with the paper, I have never seen a more God-centered county. Before every major meeting, whether it be the City Council, County Commission or Board of Education, each one is opened with a prayer. Many of the events I’ve attended over these past months have also been opened and sometimes closed with prayer. This is a county unafraid of the Lord, and that means more to me than you realize. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many county offices boldly stand for their beliefs in this fashion. Even government officials like the Probate Judge and Mayor are the ones leading these prayers. That absolutely blows my mind in the best way possible.

I thought we had gotten to the point in our government where we were too afraid to publicly stand and pray. I thought we had gotten to the point where government officials had to be neutral in publicly expressing their beliefs for fear of being called politically incorrect. I am so thankful to see that Crenshaw County has not conformed to those rules and standards.

I may not live in the county, but I do represent you guys in a public fashion, and I am proud to state my beliefs as well. I am proud to know that many in the community share my values and beliefs, and I am glad to know that I am not alone in those beliefs.

I have to hand it to you, Crenshaw, you are doing something other counties do not do. While I haven’t attended official meetings in a plethora of counties, the few I have been to do not act the way you guys act.

I’m so thankful I don’t have to just stand for “a moment of silence.” I’m thankful that we can open meetings with prayer and that the Lord and all He does can be openly discussed among almost every official in this county.

I tip my hat to you, Crenshaw. You certainly have impressed me in your boldness to stand for what is really important.