Mike, a friend from California, quit his upper-management job when he was forced to go through “sensitivity training” in an effort to appreciate diversity and was mandated to use gender-neutral pronouns such as “they,” “them,” “ze,” or “xe,” so as not to offend non-binary advocates who do not associate themselves with genders of man or woman. He said that he never knew how to refer to an interviewee sitting across the table from him.

Mike shared the following story. “T.T.T.” (They, Their, Them) had a beard, wore a sportscoat with khaki pants, and explained leaving (his/her/their) past employment as a heavyweight boxing champion because of injuries, BUT my friend couldn’t take anything for granted.

What if that day this person identified as a woman? (Yes, and perhaps I identify as a jockey, but let’s just guess what would happen if I tried to mount a horse in the Kentucky Derby.) Pretty wackadoodle, if you ask me.

Still, in this area, my husband, Dave, is ahead of the times. He has been switching pronouns for as long as I can remember. In the past week, he has made the following declarations: “We need to make sure and have the water heater checked.” “We should probably have the tires on the truck rotated.” “We’ve got to call and find out why our insurance rates went up.” Dave believes that this is from Genesis, when God joined Adam and Eve and said, “The two shall be as one.” Um-hmmm… Still, being the submissive wife I am, I have learned to answer in his language. “We sure should, Honey. Let us know what we find out when we make those calls.” Obviously, neither of us take this seriously.

And that’s where our pronoun “we” differs dramatically from those who are crying out to be understood, who don’t know which gender defines them… “he,” “she,” “they,” “them,” whatever. All kidding aside, I believe that God created everyone in His image, and it’s our responsibility to see these people as He does.

But that’s where it gets wackadoodle. Some individuals refer to themselves as “gender fluid,” meaning that they may identify as male this morning, female at lunch, genderless in the afternoon, and as equally male and female in the evening.

Too, what happens when everyone wants to create a pronoun that better suits they/their/them? Lee Harrington, a transgender, wrote the book Traversing Gender: Understanding Transgender Realities, advocating for the transgender community. In it he apologizes for these pronoun shifts, writing that no matter how hard you try to refer to people correctly, you will offend someone.

Readers, I have given this a lot of thought. As a Christian, what should my approach be towards those who do not accept how God made them and insist on being referred to in non-binary terms? Do I tell them that I believe that God created people as either male or female, and that gender-specificity is part of the created order?

Probably not, if my goal is to love them and let them know that they matter. Instead, I think that I would seek first to develop a relationship with them…which means I would call them by the name they choose. That might be my only way to share the news about our creator and how loved they are by Him…which probably is the best way I can assure them I care.

Over the course of my 47 years of adulthood, it seems that more and more people and institutions make important decisions based on feelings and assumptions. Evidence can be found in the nature of our news media; it appears that they are constructed to pray on the emotions and gullibility of Americans. Knowing this, my response is to dig harder and deeper for data and facts upon which I can hang my hat to make responsible decisions as a family man, businessman, and community volunteer. It makes no sense for me to make important decisions without knowing what it is real.

Accordingly, here are some facts about Kansas, Southeast Kansas, and Bourbon County you may not have known:

Politics: In 2018, which is the last state data available, Kansas had 1.84 million registered voters, with 25% registered Democrats, 1% Libertarians, 44% Republicans, and 30% unaffiliated. Bourbon County breaks out like this: out of 11,992 registered voters, 23% Democrat, 1% Libertarian, 43% Republican and 33% are unaffiliated. Both major parties lose a few percentage points to the independent minded Bourbon County voter.

Of the 105 Kansas counties, only two are majority Democrat: Wyandotte and Douglas. With a high number of unaffiliated voters, one can see why it is the perception of the candidate, not the political party, which often determines the holders of statewide office.

Sales Tax: I have frequently heard people bark at the high sales tax rate, particularly in Fort Scott, not without some justification. In the two approved Community Improvement Districts, one can pay up to a 10.4% tax rate. That pales in comparison to sales tax of 11% or above in various other Kansas jurisdictions, including Hiawatha, Ottawa, Junction City, Overland Park, Cunningham, McPherson, Leavenworth, Chanute, Salina, Goodland, Hugoton, Liberal, Topeka, and Kansas City.

Children: The statewide infant mortality rate (number of babies per thousand births who die within one year) from 2015 to 2019 was 5.9, compared to 5.6 in Bourbon County. Many Kansas counties had a zero death rate, including Woodson County in Southeast Kansas. The highest rate was experienced by Comanche County with an astounding 24.7 death rate. The highest in Southeast Kansas was Allen County at 8.4. Our wealthiest county, Johnson, had a rate of 4.0.

Few logistics make a bigger difference in the education of our children than pupil/teacher ratio. In Bourbon County, our schools lowered that ratio from 13.4 in 2020 to 12.9 in 2021. We compare favorably to the statewide average of 14.7 and every county around us except Linn, which recorded a ratio of 12.3. Mighty Johnson County reported a ratio of 16.2, one of the highest in the state.

In my search for who we are in Bourbon County and what is real, I have found that we compare favorably in most statistical categories. There is no reason for us to carry around an inferiority complex or feel insecure around outsiders. We can relax and welcome visitors and promote our county every chance we get. After all, you and your neighbors are the best assets we possess.

Keys to the Kingdom

I grew up in the country and I never thought of being afraid as I walked at night from the detached garage up to the house. Neither one of my folks taught me to be scared of the dark, but they did teach me to respect God, people, lightning, certain animals (like a horse, a sow with piglets, a dam with her puppies), state troopers, etc. Having respect and being afraid is not the same thing. However, I’ve always been downright scared when I’ve seen a cruiser with lights flashing in my rear-view mirror. Like a cat on a hot tin roof, I immediately knew I was guilty of speeding. But when I respect the speed limit, I never think about being pulled over and given a ticket. Being afraid is a very unpleasant experience and sometimes we actually bring it on ourselves, e.g., daydreaming with a lead foot.

“Now when all the people [Israelites] saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, ’You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.’ Moses said to the people, ’Do not fear [be scared], for God has come to test you, that the fear [respect, esteem, worship, veneration, honor, love] of Him may be before you, that you may not sin.’ The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:18-21 ESV).

When the people rejected the opportunity to draw near to God, I believe  they missed out on receiving something supernatural from Him. There’s no logical reason to stand far away when we can snuggle in to receive help, strength, and comfort in His presence. As believers, we’re to live in constant pursuit of His presence. The reason believers fellowship with God through His Word, pray, listen for His gentle voice, and follow His leading is because that’s how we stay in close contact with Him. Living in God’s presence is how we change from glory to glory week after week. “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT).

There may be times in your life when you feel confused, afraid, discouraged, or lonely, but keep pursuing God. Be like Moses and walk straight into the thick darkness and, if you  don’t give up, you’ll find God right in the middle of it (ref. 1 Kings 8:12).  No matter where you are or what‘s going on, God is there with you. King David said, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:7,8 NKJV).

There are times when life can be so dark you could slice it with a knife. Sometimes it’s so dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Sometimes it takes a long night to  truly appreciate the gorgeous sunrise. But every time you’re troubled you can always come into God’s presence. Even in the middle of the thickest darkness, God will take your hand and lead you to the light. “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Just as King David wanted Mephibosheth in his presence (2 Samuel 9:3,5-7), God wants His children in His presence. What a comforting privilege to be wanted by the Great I AM!

The Key: Don’t be afraid of the dark because God is waiting for you in the middle of it.

This was a big week for God-talk.

I drove to K.C. to meet with Carol, my 89-year-old friend, who loves, loves, loves Jesus.  It had been a couple of years since we had met face-to-face, so she warned me that most of her teeth were missing, but until her dentures are made, this was “as good as it gets.”  I told her that we weren’t competing in a corn-on-the-cob eating contest.  We were just catching up.  That was good enough for her.

Every time we visit, I learn how to be a better person.  Carol never blames God.  Not when her husband died.  Not when her daughter-in-law had cancer.  Not when Carol became incapacitated and could not leave her home.  She radiates joy. We spent much of our time talking about God and what He is doing in our lives…if we are living as He would choose.

Her granddaughter, recently returning from her third three-year missionary stint in Poland, shared this with Carol: “You can never be lost when you are in the center of God’s will.” Carol stays there.

I wander.

My friend has children and grandchildren who call/visit her several times a week. They adore her. When I questioned what her secret is, this is what she said: “I ask myself, when I speak to them, are my words helpful?  Needed?  Timely?  Wise? And most of all, does this person care what I think?”

Advice I need to heed.

This past week, I met with “Lauren” who visited from another state. Lauren has a faith like no other.  When we were setting up a time and place to meet, I suggested we have lunch.  I was not surprised with her response: “Let’s just fill ourselves up on the word of God.”

(Say what?  I mean, can’t we do both?)

With little time, chomping on a sandwich wasn’t nearly as appealing to my friend as it was to me.  I always leave Lauren knowing that I have been in the presence of someone anointed by the Holy Spirit.  Her stories of miracles inspire me, and her ability to read Scripture and find wisdom in God’s words leaves me speechless.

Then, this past week, I met with Karen.  Karen blames God.  Actually, she has found so much fault with Him, she no longer believes in Him.  No one could be as cruel, as uncaring, as He, according to my misguided friend.  Karen is not alone.

There are many who choose to find fault in the One who could make a difference…but doesn’t. When temporary setbacks cause them to question how life is not turning out the way they want.  When they pray for something they don’t receive.  When life just stinks.  In all of the above, they refuse to look in a mirror and accept responsibility for their part in creating the stench.

Most of the time, God-talk inspires me to be a better Christian. But sometimes it reminds me of my need to pray that I can be the same person of influence for people like Karen as Carol and Lauren are for me.

Keys to the Kingdom

I’m not going to beat around the bush — I fiercely hate all snakes. They’re creepy and scary and whenever I see one, I go to great lengths to kill it because I don‘t want to take the chance of ever seeing it again. Once when I was out walking, I saw a snake on the road and I stopped and looked around to see what I could use to kill it. I spotted a metal fence post that was loose and leaning, so I pulled it up and beat the snake to death with it. On another occasion, a snake was slithering across my driveway as I was pulling in, so I stopped my front tires on top of it and ground it to death by cutting the wheels back and forth. I guess I’m just literally acting out what God said in the Bible. “Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman…’” (Genesis 3:14,15 NLT).

God chose to speak to Moses from the middle of the burning bush. He was having a hard time getting Moses to understand that He needed him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses protested three times and pleaded twice and finally got on the Lord’s last nerve. After the third protest, God demonstrated His great power to help Moses get on board and agree to do what He was telling him to do. “Then the Lord asked him, ’What is that in your hand?’ ‘A shepherd’s staff,’ Moses replied. ’Throw it down on the ground,’ the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Then the Lord told him, ’Reach out and grab its tail.’ So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand’” (Exodus 4:2-4 NLT).

I surely admire Moses because of his obedience, bravery, and trust in the Lord in regard to picking up that snake. If I were in Moses’ shoes, I’ve wondered if I could have picked up the snake. But I’ve come to understand that God will always give believers what we need in order to do what He tells/calls us to do. According to God’s Word, we’re not powerless wimps. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). We would do well to memorize and declare this scripture when faced with the temptation to disobey God because we think the assignment is too hard or we‘re just flat-out scared. I like The Passion Translation for this verse: “And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.“

I’m reminded of the classic country song lyrics, “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.” Come what may, God did promise to give Christ followers what we need exactly when we need it in order to be overcomers in this life: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).

Moses experienced fear for a few seconds, but when he obeyed and picked up the snake, God did the miraculous and turned it back into a staff. I don’t blame Moses for being afraid of the snake. Different Bible translations use multiple synonyms for his response to the  snake: jumping, running, fled, ran, drew back, jumped-back fast. I would have done all those things, plus I would have killed the snake and messed up God‘s case in point.     

The Key: If God says do it, then do it; even if you have to bite on a stick to keep from screaming while runn

Tax Confusion

There was an excellent article on the front page of the Fort Scott Tribune published on Sunday, July 10, 2022 which reported on some thorough research performed by Bourbon County Finance Director, Susan Bancroft.  So many people with whom I have private conversations did not fully appreciate the data because they do not understand basic taxation terms such as mill levy, appraised value, assessed value, etc.  These and other concepts are important to grasp to be an informed participant in state and local government entities.  Let’s take a look at some basic definitions and how it all comes together to determine how much each property owner in Kansas is taxed on their holdings.

Starting with appraised value, every county appraiser is responsible to determine an accurate value of every property in the county.  State statutes set guidelines that are similar to what is used in private appraisal processes.  The most important aspect of this process is to appraise a property in proportion to other values in the county.  If a property owner believes there has been a mistake, an appeals process exists where data may be presented by the property owner which argues for an alternate conclusion.

Assessed valuation might be the most misunderstood term in this process, but it is a simple computation of multiplying the percentage determined by state statute for each property type, times the appraised value.  For example, if a home is appraised for $100,000.00, the statutory assessment rate is 11.5%, which yields an assessed valuation of $11,500.00.  Here are the assessment rates of all property types in Kansas: Homes: 11.5%, Vacant lots: 12%, Owned by non-profits:      12%, Commercial: 25% Agricultural land: 30%, Public utilities: 33%, Not classified: 30%.  Properties owned by governments are not assessed.

The mill levy is the “tax rate” that is applied to the assessed value of a property. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. To continue the example above, if the mill levy is set at 65.00, the aforementioned homeowner would owe $747.50 in annual taxes computed as follows:  $11,500 divided by 1,000 equals 11.5, times 65.00 equals $747.50.

A homeowner in a Kansas county will not only pay taxes to the county, but also cities and school districts.  Some jurisdictions will also have other taxing entities, such as community colleges, libraries, fire districts, special improvement districts, etc.  Each will set their own mill levy in order to fund operations.

As a practical example, if the aforementioned $100,000.00 house is located in Fort Scott, the property owner has an assessed value of $11,500.00 and will pay the following mill levies based on 2021 numbers: County: 62.51, City: 46.98, USD 234: 52.773, Community College: 29.30.  These mill levies add up to 191.563; accordingly, the property owner can expect to pay $2,202.97 (191.563 times 11.5) in annual property taxes.  There may be a few minor additions to the bill, depending on where they live in the city.

Our democracy depends on an informed electorate.  If tax computations are a mystery to you, find a source that can answer your questions.  We are better together when we are aware and active.

Years ago, a Lake Michigan steamboat sank after being rammed by another boat. Out of 393 passengers on board, 279 drowned.  A man named Edward Spencer plunged into the lake to save 17 drowning people, causing nerve damage to his legs.  He never walked again.  On his eightieth birthday, someone asked him to relate his most vivid memory of that dreadful day. He replied, “Not one of the seventeen returned to thank me.”

Jesus had a similar experience after healing 10 lepers. Only one, a despised Samaritan, thanked him.  Read Luke 17:11-19.  Jesus is grieved because of this. “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Modeling gratefulness for our children is imperative for parents. Titus 2:7 makes that clear: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.

Last month, my granddaughter Britney called to thank Dave and me for her birthday gift- card.  We have come to cherish those calls.  Not all of our relatives are as considerate, so if you know a gentle way to ask loved ones to PULEEEZE acknowledge receiving a gift, PULEEEZE tell me what it is.

A close friend tired of buying expensive outfits for her grandkids but never seeing them wear the clothes.  The final straw came when her daughter-in-law, the two-year-old’s mother, pulled the jeans and shirt out of the gift bag and dismissively set them aside without saying “thank you.” My friend picked up the outfit and threw it in the trash can.  “That will be the last thing I ever buy for my son’s kids,” she told me.  And she meant it.

I know someone who stopped sending her grandson money because he never acknowledged receiving it.  Some say that’s too harsh, as I found when I researched suggestions. “If you have a tracking code, check to see if your gift was delivered.  That should be enough.” “The fun is in the giving, not in hearing ‘thank-you.’” Another idea?  “Subtly mention how much you like the China pattern they chose and hope that reminds them that you sent them a dinner plate, and they will thank you.”

Or not.

Call me a curmudgeon, but I disagree.  One response made more sense: “… it’s just one more by-product of Entitlement. ‘Of COURSE’ you sent me a gift. Why wouldn’t you?”  Perhaps that’s true, but I think the real problem is parents who are not teaching their kids to be thankful.

Sometimes it’s cultural.  After moving to Mexico, I learned that newlyweds don’t send thank-you notes.  “Then how do I know that they received my gift?”  I asked.  No one had an answer.  American weddings are different.  A friend of ours once placed $500 in an envelope and left it at the wedding table with the other gifts.  Months went by before he called the couple to ask if they had received it.  They had not.  As it turned out, they had not received money from other guests as well.  (Looks like there was a thief at the gift table

Lisa Grotts, etiquette expert and founder of Golden Rules Gal, gives suggestions as to how children can acknowledge gifts.  “Gift-givers like to know that their gift was received and that the recipient enjoyed it. Children of all ages should be taught to write or draw a thank-you card when they receive a present.  Another modern option is to send a thank-you text or email, preferably with a cute picture of the kiddo holding the gift or a thank you sign.”

My frustration in not receiving a “thank you” is not that I feel unappreciated. I just want the youngsters in my family never to take anything for granted. Their parents.  Their friends.  Their freedom. Their church.  Their life. Their God. Should they fail to understand the unselfishness of the word “thanks,” it is a slippery slope to becoming selfishly ungrateful.

Much more preventable if parents do their jobs.  I think that Jesus would agree.

Keys to the Kingdom by Carolyn Tucker

I’ve watched many a Western and I have come to the conclusion that the cowboy is my choice of hero. Besides my Dad, John Wayne is my favorite cowboy. On the silver screen, Wayne’s character was a gutsy man of few words, but the words he spoke had unrivaled  authority. If the idiot didn’t believe him, he quickly made a believer out of him. In the real world, being a rancher ain’t for sissies — it’s a lot of hard work with branding, feeding, building and repairing fences, etc. Branding livestock, especially cattle, has been a tradition for hundreds of years. The brand is usually burned onto the hip which identifies the owner, dissuades rustlers, and is an important type of identification that’s difficult to tamper with. Before the use of fences, cattle from neighboring ranches often mingled, so it was important to know which cattle belonged to which rancher.

Believers aren’t physically branded, but we’re identified as being genuine Christ followers by our love. Jesus said, “This is how everyone will recognize that you are My disciples — when they see the love you have for each other“ (John 13:35 MSG). We are Christ’s ambassadors and we represent God and His love everywhere we go. The world is looking for love in all the wrong places. However, when unbelievers bite the bullet and  actually go to church, they’re sometimes introduced to religious rules and regulations instead of love. So if they leave the building without being introduced to Jesus or experiencing a friendly welcome, that makes the devil want to do a victory hoedown.

One way we love others is to show a kindly interest in them. If we’re serious about walking in love, the Holy Spirit will guide us in creative ways to be loving. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:16, 22-23 NLT). These “things” enable  believers to love others, but Satan tries his best to rustle them from us. We have to stand our ground, keep the gates locked, guns loaded, and retain what’s rightfully ours.

The devil is lower than a snake’s belly and his main job is to steal, kill, and destroy us in  spirit, soul, and body (Ref. John 10:10). We must take authority over the enemy in the name of Jesus and stand firmly on the Word of God.  Believers have what it takes to love others. We just need to put it to use and start loving on people — because our testimony depends on it! That’s who we are, that’s what we do, and love is our invisible brand.

Love is what sets Christ followers apart from the rest of the world. I don’t want the chuck wagon of my heart to be cold and empty. I want a heart that’s so branding-iron hot with God’s love that I can’t keep it to myself. There’s acres of lost, hurting, and lonely people searching for love, hoping someone will get off their cutting horse and tend to them.

In my Bible, the following scriptures are under the heading of “Loving One Another:” “…God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world” (1 John 4:16-17 NLT). When we live like Jesus, we love like Jesus.

The Key: We’re branded and equipped to love, so let’s get out on the range and do it.

Debt

I am optimistic about the future of our nation, but I don’t see a way we can ascend to the next level of prosperity without significant economic pain.  The measures taken by national, state and local governments to climb out of the Great Recession of 2008 and the recent pandemic have been unprecedented in the history of our nation and no one has a playbook to return us to fiscal sanity.  Consider these three facts: In June, the national debt has climbed to $30.5 trillion, the Federal Reserve Bank, under the moniker of “quantitative easing,” has purchased $8.97 trillion in treasury securities by printing new money, and interest rates have been held below the rate of inflation for years, helping to give rise to the recent price run-up.

What does this all mean? Considering the national debt, the annual interest on $30.5 trillion debt paid in 2021 was 1.50%, totaling about $459 billion.  We know that in 2022 rates have increased substantially, with more promised rate increases to come.  If the 2022 average rate is 3.00% and the debt does not increase, the public will pay $918 billion in interest.  For context, The United States (“US”) tax revenue was $4.05 trillion in 2021, meaning interest on the national debt would consume about 22.7% of every tax dollar we pay.

At what average interest rate on US debt does debt service equal tax revenue?  The answer is 13.2%, which does not seem out of the question to a banker who started his career in 1979. On January 1, 1981, the national Prime Rate hit an all-time high of 21.5%; at that rate, interest on the debt computes to $6.6 trillion, well above annual revenues.

If all these numbers were not depressing enough, we know that Social Security and pension funds around the country are woefully underfunded; that number stands at about $6 trillion in the 50 states.  Is Bourbon County behind on infrastructure repair and investment? We all know the answer to that question, but we do not know the cumulative number nationwide of all local jurisdictions.  The number has to be staggering.

It is not enough to curse the darkness, so what can we do?  Start with your own house and business and get your money affairs in order, starting with getting out of debt.  Second, get involved in your local governments, and be a positive voice for financial responsibility.  We have to prepare our own jurisdictions for what is coming.  Third, elect politicians who are committed to fiscal discipline. Responsible debt reduction is a long-term process.  I am not saying that we should forego any investments in progress; rather, we need to look for ways to consolidate administrative costs so that more dollars can be put into debt reduction and investments that are important to our future.

It seems incongruous that a banker would advocate debt-free businesses and personal financial statements, but banks do better when their clients do better.  Talk to your banker or accountant to help you devise and execute a plan for lower debt and economic prosperity in the future.  Our county depends upon it.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope.                                                                                                                            Psalm 130:5

My husband loves to drive through car lots, and when he does, I want to curl up on the floorboard, especially if I see salesmen strolling among the parked vehicles, excited to see a potential buyer.  They wave Dave down and ask if he wants something in particular. Dave explains that he is “just looking.”  Then the small talk begins.  Before I know it, Hubby is sitting in a truck we clearly cannot afford, and the salesperson is grinning.  Our conversation never wavers when we leave the dealership and start home.

“Dave, honey, you get their hopes up, and I feel sorry for them because we aren’t going to buy another car.”

“I give them someone to talk to, so they’re not bored.”

“They talk to you because they think you’re going to make them a commission.”

“Patty, what if they offer me a steal?”

“And when has that ever happened?”

Last week, we were in Henderson, Nevada, when Dave turned onto the freeway exit named “Auto Road.”  Car lot after car lot, we looked at every vehicle on display.  It makes no sense.

When we were first married, Dave worked as a car salesman in baseball’s off-season.  I made more money waitressing than he did selling used vehicles.  He knew what it was like to get his hopes up, only to have them dashed.  Hubby claims that salespeople are used to it.  They don’t take it personally.

I don’t buy that any more than I’m going to buy a new car.  There’s no fun in hoping for something, convincing ourselves there is a possibility we will get it, but then don’t.  A date.  A job.  A good doctor’s report.  A diet that works.  A souffle that doesn’t sink. A decent golf score. A yard without mushrooms. (Trust me, I know.)

But in reality, isn’t life all about hope?  Martin Luther preached, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” We place confidence in our future improving, yes, but the key is not that we hope, it is where we place our hope.  I don’t hope for 30 pounds to disappear overnight (okay, maybe I do, just a little) or for a Linkedin offer to join the rodeo (although, that too would be really cool).

Instead, I choose to put my hope in One who cannot fail. The only One who will not fail.  My favorite scripture was written by the prophet Jeremiah: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. That doesn’t mean that I know what that future will entail…which is probably a really, really good thing. It just means that whatever that future is, I trust that God is in the driver’s seat.

And I’m not cowering on the floorboard next to Him.