By Angela Christy Hayes

In this town we don’t just sing the National Anthem on Friday nights, players run on to the field with the American flag in hand.
In this town we pray over the loud speaker before every game.
In this town the only time we take a knee is when someone is hurt and we’re praying.
In this town, we circle up in the middle of the field after each game to pray.
The devil hates this town because we pray.

When a family is hurting, the whole town hurts.
When a family is in need, the whole town lends a hand.
When disaster hits, the whole town answers the call, working side by side, neighbor helping neighbor.
When one of our own suffers devastating news, this town sets up funds, sells t-shirts and bracelets, and has fundraiser dinners, to show our love.
The devil hates this town because we show the love of Jesus.

The whole town shows up for ball games, school events, and graduation, regardless if we know any of the kids.
Our kids attend every church’s Vacation Bible School, in this town.
When there is a problem, this town works together to find a solution.
Celebrations are so big in this town, we have to close down main street.
The devil hates this town because he cannot divide us.

One night a tornado hit this town, and by morning chainsaws were going and people were handing out breakfast burritos and coffee.
A few weeks later this town lost a young man in a tragic car accident.
Two days later another tornado tried to take out this town.
This town is no stranger to natural disasters and death.
Yes, the devil sure hates this town.

Today this town will do what it always does.
This town will lend a hand, work side by side, neighbor helping neighbor.
This town will pray and love each other through clean-up and as we rebuild.
We will hold one another with painful tears in our eyes as God heals this broken town.
Then this town will show that devil just how strong we are.