Consider the following data about housing SEK; new houses built from 2016 and 2019 by selected county:

Allen 60; Bourbon 10; Cherokee 47; Crawford 288; Linn 182

Also consider that 8 of the 10 houses built in BB were TINY houses, costing about $40,000 a piece. Only two market houses were built during the time period considered. Why are we the tip of the tail on the SEK housing dog? A few thoughts:

It is not employment. We have a strong employment base, and it seems that every employer is hiring. About one in three workers commute into BB from another jurisdiction. The lack of good jobs is not the problem.

It is not quality of life. We have as many amenities, if not more, as the competing counties listed above. Crime is not out of control, and community spirit is generally good. We have good schools, a good community college, good churches, and good cultural amenities.

First and foremost, it is taxes. Consider the fact that if you live in Fort Scott, you pay the highest tax rate of all first-class cities in the state, save one: Parsons. Here are the levies of the counties listed above:

Allen 62.88; Bourbon 66.67; Cherokee 51.70; Crawford 50.14; Linn 49.94

Yes, we are the highest in the area. We don’t even compare to Vernon County, Missouri.

The number two reason is related to the first: year after year of low comparable sales, because of high taxes, makes it VERY difficult for bankers and mortgage lenders to get an adequate appraisal to make a loan on a new house. Those who want to build a new house will have to come up with at least 30% down, perhaps more. Who can afford to throw away all that equity?

What is the solution? Some proposals:

Control the cost of government by looking at shared services. We can’t afford the luxury of taxing entities in close proximity ignoring each other, and replicating structures.

After we lower costs, reduce the levies. We have to get competitive with our neighbors. Also, we have to increase our assessed valuation, not by increasing the value of existing properties but building new ones.

Exploit what we have. Why does Linn County, which has one of the highest unemployment rates, and lowest household incomes in the state, build so many houses? Besides low taxes, they have lakes on which residents and those who want a second home can build. We have miles of undeveloped lake shoreline in BB.

Look to build public/private/charitable partnerships to explore solutions. It will take private creativity, public investment, and some charity to get the housing ball rolling, until taxes can be mitigated, and comparable sales increased.

Let’s make this a priority and seek solutions together.

Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

When my two brothers and I were young, our widowed mother insisted that we refer to adults as “Ma’am” or “Sir.” Should we ignore that rule, we would be the recipient of her raised eyebrow, a look for which I was the intended target on multiple occasions. Years later, when I taught in the Texas school system, any “yes” or “no” always was followed by “ma’am.” Always! Imagine my shock when I began teaching in Fort Scott and, on day one, asked a question and was told “Yep.” I almost hyperventilated.

Today, Respect is in short supply. Oh, there are positions—such as the military– that insist on it, but rarely do we see it in action unless it is used to accomplish personal goals.

Dave, my husband, receives daily requests for autographs because of his career in professional baseball. Many times, the same person impersonally sends baseball cards on different dates and writes a simple “Please sign these and return them in the SASE.” One person has sent the same, two-page, hand-written letter at least ten times, but yesterday Dave’s baseball card was a photocopied one that he had signed months ago, only this time the sender tried to erase Dave’s ink signature and asked him to sign over it. Seriously bizarre.

A few days ago, Dave received the most respectful request for an autograph he remembers ever receiving. Hand-written front and back, “Evan” shared that when he grew up, he and his friends played baseball whenever they could, and when Dave became famous for throwing his high curve, “the LaLob,” the group of boys spent hours trying to duplicate the pitch. But then he shared a story about his desire to teach his sons the thrills that come from playing sports and obtaining autographs. The first baseball card he handed his son, the youngster ran his finger across it, thinking it to be a digital screen that would change as he rubbed it. The father realized that this might take more work than he had anticipated.

Evan wrote about a time our son Adam was rehabbing with a minor league Atlanta Braves’ team where the writer and his family were living. Typically, he said, big leaguers who were there to rehab scamper out of the stadium to awaiting cars following those games, but Adam remained behind to sign over 100 autographs, even staying for some stragglers to find pens and paper. Evan thanked Dave for raising such a respectful man who had stayed humble. (Inexplicably, Dave was given all the credit. An oversight, I’m sure.)

Evan took the time to make his letter personal, and yes, I realize there was something in it for him, but he could have done a lot less and received the same autograph.

We respect others when we listen to them, affirm them, defer to them, are polite to them and thank them.

I try to do those things but know I have much room for improvement.

John 6:3-5 demonstrates how seriously Jesus takes a lack of respect. Jesus is being berated for being a nobody. “Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” In other words, “We know this man’s family. Not exactly upper crust. And his career as a handyman certainly doesn’t warrant any accolades.” Then Jesus speaks to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.” So, except for a few minor miracles, Jesus “could not perform any miracles there.” Wow! Because the crowd showed Jesus no respect, he was unable to bless them.

How a few kind words could have made a difference!

As we go about our week, let us show everyone we meet they are valued, even if there is nothing in it for us.

I’ve been remembering the dad I had since 2012. I was 54 years old when I couldn’t celebrate Father’s Day in person with my hero. He was quite the colorful individual; he was like a loud party going somewhere to happen. I still miss him. This Father’s Day will be the first for my daughter Mariam and son Aaron to not celebrate their dad in person. I’ve asked permission to use excerpts from the personal tributes they wrote for Jimmy’s memorial service. It’s a heartfelt reminder to all fathers about how important they are to their children. “A child’s glory is his father” (Proverbs 17:6 TLB).

From Mariam: “My dad was wonderful…plain and simple. He lived an exemplary life of patience, dedication, and faith. He loved the Word of God — reading it, talking about it, and sharing it with others. His first priority was always showing me the ways of the Lord and I am so grateful. Anyone who knew my dad well knew that he was quiet and kind. He rarely raised his voice and he never had an ill word to say about anybody. He was very intentional. He knew what he wanted to do, his reasons for it, and he stuck to it. I so admire his resolve and unwavering faithfulness to his convictions and calling over the years.”

“My dad would drop everything to help me (or anyone). I was always so proud that if it was broken he could fix it, and if it needed put together it would be solid when he was done with it. Dad took me fishing, rode horses with me, built me the coolest tree house in town, taught me to shoot a layup and a shotgun. He spent real meaningful time with me. I have always known I was loved by my dad and that he was proud of me. Always. Thank you, dad, for being a present father in a world where you don’t have to be one, and for being a man of excellence in a world of mediocrity.”

From Aaron: “My dad was my hero. He taught me how to do everything I love. He taught me how to hunt, fish, ride a motorcycle, cut wood, grow things in the garden and so many other things. He taught me how to use his tools as a child, even though I left them out in the yard every time. Dad worked hard and did his very best at everything he did. I never once questioned that my dad was there for me. When I needed help on anything, I knew I could ask my dad and he would stop whatever he was doing to patiently walk me through what I needed.”

“My dad was a wonderful earthly father, and I couldn’t have had a better role model for our heavenly Father. Dad’s number one priority was drawing closer to God and living out His will. I never wondered if my dad loved me, and I know that he was proud of me because he made sure that I knew it. Dad wanted me to succeed, to do my best, and to know that I can trust God to help me with anything that I need, just like he did. I am forever honored to be my father’s son.”

Remember, the love you share/shared with your father will never die. Love is binding and eternal, so not even death can separate the love between fathers and their children.

The Key: If you still have your dad, be glad. If you don’t, be thankful for the dad you had.

Inflation

Congress has printed and spent trillions of dollars in the last year. Two “stimulus” checks have gone out to most Americans. Congress is still paying a $300 unemployment bonus, contributing to worker shortages and supply shortages. The Federal Reserve still has rates at zero. Banks are awash in cash with few investment options. Congress is trying to spend another $1 to $4 trillion.

All these factors should lead to inflation; and they have. The Consumer Price Index surged 5.2% year over year in May, the largest increase since 2008. Over the last 12 months, core inflation is up 3.8%, and other industries are much higher: used cars – 29.7%, airline fares – 24.1%, jewelry – 14.7%, shoes – 7.1%. We all know that the price of lumber has skyrocketed, along with most other commodities.

The housing market has taken off nationwide, including Bourbon County. Year-to-date in our region, sales are up 37%, average sales price is up 18%, days on the market has dropped 53%, and pending sales are up 49%. How long this will last is anyone’s guess, but it is obvious that forces beyond the market are at work. With the increase in lumber prices adding about $36,000 to the cost of an average new home, pre-owned homes are becoming more attractive and the market reflects that reality.

Rates are an historic anomaly, as evidenced by the fact that municipalities can borrow at rates lower than the rate of inflation. It does not make sense for cities and counties to save money for projects, when they can lower costs by borrowing at low rates and beating long-term inflation. Case in point, the average rate of inflation for construction costs has been 2.42% over the last ten years (are there any doubts that number is MUCH higher in the last year?); a city can borrow money for around 1%. Thousands of municipalities have taken advantage of this historically rare arbitrage at record levels.

What should a business do? Lock in long-term borrowing rates. Marginally increase normal levels of inventory. Save capital. Have a plan to deal with inflation in inventory, labor and other expenses. Get out of all short-term, variable rate debt. Much of this applies to individuals as well. One positive factor is that our nation’s personal savings rate has doubled the pre-pandemic level to 14.9%, which is nice to see given that people tend to spend money they did not earn more freely.

Inflation is a tax we all pay, regardless of our income level or position in life. A modest, predictable level of inflation is healthy; what appears to be coming is not. Now is the time for all entities, all people to focus on good financial health. Bourbon County can be an oasis of stability in an inflation desert.

Conclusion: Don’t get caught up in the nationwide buying/borrowing frenzy, unless it is absolutely necessary, such as for municipal infrastructure needs. Pay down debt. Save. Let’s position Bourbon County as a financial leader in the months and years to come.

“When all you see is your pain, you lose sight of God.” The movie The Shack was recommended to me by several Christian friends. Others pointed to its lack of Biblical truth and refused to watch it. I opted to focus on its elements that line up with my personal faith. The quote written above was one of those moments.

A marriage counseling couple from Detroit came to visit my husband and me. Our friendship began in the late ‘70’s and has continued to this day. They shared how difficult it is to reach others for Christ who choose to host a never-ending pity party. Just recently, after eight years of off-and-on meetings with one particular couple, our friends told the husband and wife that they would continue to pray for them but could see them no more.

“Eight years?” I asked. “I wouldn’t last eight sessions. Did you give them homework and ideas for things they were to work on?”

The answer was yes, every meeting, but nothing changed. Our discussion turned to John 5:6 where Jesus approaches a paralytic and asks, “Do you want to get well?” I’ve written articles on this verse before, and our friends said this couple was an example of individuals who do not.

If you are involved in a prayer chain, chances are you have been introduced to these types of people. I’m not trying to be insensitive, but week after week, year after year, their names appear, their symptoms varying from illness to work issues to family disputes. Tom Ehrich, an Episcopal priest and writer for “Religion News Service,” called complainers “narcissistic.” “Whining makes me the center of everything,” he wrote. A little drastic, in my opinion, because at least these people are seeking prayer. What’s wrong with that?

Nothing, until that becomes their identity. I have two friends whose lives are relentless trials and setbacks, yet they never complain and continue to trust in God’s goodness. If they add their names to a prayer list, things are pretty bad. But let’s face it, some people don’t want to do their part to get well.

Do you remember the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead? Lazarus exited the tomb bound with graveclothes and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to the witnesses, “Loose him, and let him go.” Simply being raised from the dead was not enough. Lazarus needed to be unbound. The victim mentality allows Christians to remain in graveclothes that keep them wrapped up in their circumstances. They have made a declaration of faith in Jesus Christ but choose to attach themselves to defeat, refusing to change their focus to 1 John 4:4: He (God) who lives in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world.

These grumblers suffer from spiritual amnesia, rarely following up with thankfulness by crediting God for pulling them through their difficulties. That’s because their “rescuer” is people or a prayer chain or, like in my friends’ counseling experience, someone else willing to listen to the wife’s litany of gripes. (And yes, if you are wondering, that marriage ended in divorce.)

My heart aches for people who choose to focus on their misery. Most of the time, my prayers for them have nothing to do with their circumstances but all to do with them seeing how their complaints have become their label. Look again at the quote from The Shack: “When all you see is your pain, you lose sight of God.”

The remedy comes in Colossians 3:2: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Don’t Look, Ethel!

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid of heights. When I was young, I used to think I had hydrophobia, but I eventually found out it was called acrophobia. Oh well, it’s not a problem most of the time. In 2015, our family vacationed in Colorado and we decided to go to The Royal Gorge. Common sense told me I could walk across the bridge and survive. So I positioned myself in the middle “lane” of the bridge, kept my eyes on the far end, and started repeating, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” as I took off. I ended up crossing the bridge four times that day but I never once looked down over the edge. Yes, I’m aware that I missed out on a breathtaking view. But I knew I couldn’t look anywhere but straight ahead if I wanted to make it to the end.

If believers want to live victorious lives, we must keep our gaze straight ahead and press toward the reward that God has for us. We have to set our sights on Christ Jesus and keep moving forward. We can’t allow ourselves to get sidetracked with the frivolous distractions of the world because it‘s not worth it. The apostle Paul said, “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:13,14 NLT).

I was determined not to let a silly fear keep me from participating and making good memories with my family. When your back’s against the wall, you’ll turn and find God standing right there with you. Christ followers should have a fearless obedience to do God‘s will. When He asks you to do something, He’ll give you what it takes to accomplish it. “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

Life, in general, offers a multitude of distracting options every day. A believer has to be careful not to fall into the trap of unending “busyness.” Getting up on the wrong side of the bed and starting off on the wrong foot can simply be a result of neglecting God in the morning. If you’re too busy to connect with your heavenly Father, then I suggest you seriously consider adjusting your priorities. Most of us wouldn’t think of leaving the house without that cup of coffee. So why would Christians run out the door without drinking from the cup of Living Water? God should be considered a morning necessity in order to have wisdom and direction for the day ahead. Paul’s advice is to: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end” (Hebrews 12:2 GNT).

Jesus has already crossed the finish line, so now we believers are to look straight ahead to Him. Don’t try to see how close to the edge you can walk, or even consider turning right or left. However, all is not lost should that happen. You are God’s child and He cares about you watchfully. “If you stray to the right or left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: ‘This is the way; walk in it‘” (Isaiah 30:21 CEB). The Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, empowering us to walk fearlessly straight.

The Key: Set your sights on Jesus and He’ll help you make it across the finish line with flying colors.

I was born in the ‘50’s, but the first U.S. President of whom I was aware was JFK. I remember the awe and respect my parents had for him, and our government officials in general. Several trips to Washington D.C. during my elementary school days reinforced this ideal. We all know that those times are long gone.

Are the men and women that currently hold office in our country less worthy of respect? Are they worse people than the elected officials of a generation ago? Probably not, but we know much more about their governing activities and private lives than that of their predecessors, thanks to technology, the 24-hour news cycle, and social media. Familiarity certainly can breed contempt.

When employers are making hiring decisions, standard procedure is to check social media and search engines to see what is out there in the public domain. One can learn much about a person when reading what they post. Just so with news reports, and citizen posts about a community.

Unfortunately, the negative seems to dramatically out-influence the positive. It does not take too many vitriolic posts, or caustic comments by a citizen at a commission meeting to leave outsiders with a poor impression of a community. The Internet is as powerful of force for destruction as it is for good; perhaps more so. It can mean the difference between a family deciding to move to Bourbon County, or not.

Word of mouth is still impactful. Upon moving here six years ago, I walked into two businesses, I identified myself as a new resident, and the comments, were something like, “You moved here on purpose?!?” and “Why did you move here?!?” I quickly learned that our communities have a self-esteem problem.

I was born in a town of 1,300 people, I have lived in five states, several small and medium-sized towns, and one large city. Let me say this: Bourbon County is my BEST community experience. My wife and I have no desire to be anywhere else. The grass is NOT greener elsewhere. If you don’t believe me, you don’t know what you have in Bourbon County.

Bottom line: think twice before you go negative, either in private conversations, or on social media. Don’t post anything based on assumptions. Make sure your opinions are factual, and expressed in respectful ways. Don’t sacrifice the good on the altar of the perfect. Don’t take out your frustrations in a public setting. Buy a punching bag instead.

I leave you with a quote from our first President, George Washington, which is one of his 12 Rules of Civility: “Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust.” If you have something against your neighbor, go talk to them, rather than posting about it. On second thought, if you have something negative to say or post, ask yourself, “What do I hope to accomplish?” The economic future of our community depends upon the public impression we make every day.

Keys to the Kingdom

In my later teen years at home, my parents would usually “call it a night” before I did. Like clockwork, they would straighten up the living room before heading off to bed. It was their nightly routine to put everything in its place. One time Mom explained their tradition: “Back in the day, we always cleaned the living room before going to bed in case the doctor had to come in the night.” That made good sense to me because it was a good habit and good habits should continue even if the reason for them is out of style. That’s why I can join a few others in saying, “I’m from the old school.“ Another rule I learned was to always wear clean underwear in case you’re in a car wreck.

Generally speaking, nobody sees your underwear because it’s hiding beneath your outer clothing. You’re the only person who knows whether your undies are clean, worn-out, uncomfortable, or stink. Spiritually speaking, what’s on the outside is just a façade, but what’s on the inside (hiding) is the real thing. “As I think in my heart [which is underneath and hidden] so am I“ (Proverbs 23:7). Believers need to be careful of the temptation to harbor negative undercurrents in their mind and heart. Bad attitudes are sure to show up in your conversations, facial expressions, and actions. Although you try, you can’t hide what’s on the inside because it comes out involuntarily. King David wrote: “He [God] knows the secrets of every heart” (Psalm 44:21 NLT).

Everyday we have the choice to wear dirty or clean underwear. The Apostle Paul tells us that believers have the choice to put on Jesus or leave Him in the closet. “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don‘t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires“ (Romans 13:14 NLT). If you’re so busy with going here and there, and doing this and that, you may not even be able to find Jesus to put Him on. If your closet of life is cluttered with stuff, Jesus will just continue to hang around waiting to be worn.

I enjoy going through drawers, cabinets, and closets to throw out stuff that serves no purpose. Christians have to do the same thing spiritually. “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT). You have to take off something old in order to put on something new. It would be dumb for someone to put clean underwear on over the top of dirty ones. (If brains were gasoline, she couldn’t ride a moped around a fruit loop!)

A baby is coddled and bottled and that’s sweet. But if a Christian is expecting God to do everything for him/her, that stinks. God has His part and we have our part. Paul says believers are to “put on our new nature.” By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to dress ourselves with the presence of Jesus every day — one size fits all.

The Key: Beware! If your underwear stinks, then you’re the one to change it.

Americans and Canadians are now leaving Mexico and heading home for the summer, and with a goal of ending up with no food in our condos, “Refrigerator Clean-Out” parties abound. So, we all congregate in the condominium of the ones leaving, pick what kinds of cheese or meats or canned goods we might use, thank our generous friends, and then, a few days later, have our own departing exodus get-together, many times giving away what we took from those who left before us.

We prepare our condominiums until we return (hopefully) in the fall. Darkened shades protect the furniture from the sun’s damage, fans help with air circulation, underwear is placed in the refrigerator (Not kidding; it saves the elastic), cars are garaged with trickle-charge batteries attached, and we pray for the best. “Best” meaning no hurricane or tsunami or earthquake or saltwater damage.

Yesterday, making up for lost time, I had a massage.

For years I have heard raves about Corina, the gal who comes to our complex and is a master at relieving tension. She is not for wimps. Corina started off gently, rubbing my shoulder blades before pressing some area above my hip that shot me into orbit. Hers was a two-hand approach, one kneading my left shoulder area near my spine and the other on that hip spot. Mine was a “try not to whimper” approach. Occasionally Corina would find some body part not filled with marbles, but that was rare, and trust me, holding my breath instead of squeezing her tonsils as a reflexive response was exhausting. Following our time together, I spent an hour trying to figure out how my kidneys ended up above my lungs.

Corina’s hands were weapons, a gift from God to torture those of us willing to hand over 500 pesos ($25.00) to be woman-handled.

Yesterday, the day before Dave and I left Mazatlán, I took my friend Saundra’s advice and made an appointment with Diana, the lady across the street who gives facials. My face, it seems, required about 16 steps to repair its damage, the fifth of which was preempted with these words. “This might make you feel like your face is on fire, but it’s necessary because of the sun’s harm to your skin.” At that point, Diana threw kerosene on my face and lit it with a blow torch. By the 10^th step when she “exfoliated” the dirt lurking in the skin of my nose, I was sure I would be faceless for the rest of my life.

Driving across the mountains of Mexico today was a piece of tres-leches cake compared to the pain endured on body parts I had ignored for far too long but had spent hours of the two previous days repairing. Experts were able to see problems under the surface of my skin that I had no idea were there. Instead of a maintenance program, I had allowed things to get out of hand…or back…or face…or wherever. And I paid a price for ignoring what I needed to do.

Don’t we all do that with our spiritual lives? We go through the motions of daily happenings and ignore the warning signs of what our faith requires until jolted awake by our expert Creator, the One who sees danger below the surface. We are shocked by the damage done when our sins get out of control and question why we did not do a maintenance check on our spiritual life.

When did I stop talking to Jesus throughout the day? How did it become so easy not to attend church? What happened to my New Years’ oath that I would study my Bible on a regular basis? If those questions represent you, perhaps it is time for some spiritual kneading or burning or exfoliating…you know, a maintenance program none of us can fail to ignore.

Keys to the Kingdom

Carolyn Tucker

My dad served in the United States Army on the front lines in Germany during World War II. In his later years, he once told me, “It kills me to hear Taps sounded.” I know for a fact that he’s not the only veteran who felt that way. This haunting mournful bugle call is sounded by the United States Armed Forces at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and at military funerals. Dad was in the heat of the battle in the European Theatre from 1944-1946 and he witnessed many of his buddies killed or injured. When Taps are sounded, tears stream down my face as I think about all the brave veterans and their sacrifices.

The Bible best describes a U.S. veteran who dies for his/her Country: “No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends” (John 15:13 NIRV). Dying for something you believe in is the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day commemorates the brave men and women who died in battle, or as a result of wounds sustained in battle, while serving their Country and fighting for freedom.

It grieves me to see some Americans lightly treat Memorial Day as simply an opportunity to get together, have a picnic, and start the summer off with a bang. The only reason we’re even able to do that is because of our valiant Armed Forces. Honoring and mourning the loss of those who have died in the line of duty should be the #1 priority on Memorial Day. In addition, Americans have also taken this opportunity to decorate the graves of all their loved ones, not just military graves. God cares about all those who die. “His loved ones are very precious to Him and He does not lightly let them die” (Psalm 116:15 TLB).

When our veterans die for others, there is no more that love can do to show dedication to their fellow man. Fallen soldiers give their lives to protect everyone — not just family and friends but strangers too. They die for those who refuse to salute the flag. They die for those who take freedom for granted. They die for those who refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance. They even die for those who don’t stand for the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

For those who die in Christ, they have a rich reward. “…when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see You face to face” (Psalm 17:15 TLB). Even though God’s Word states that we’re born to die, I don’t see many volunteering for it. Everyone I know is trying to stay alive. But when an unselfish individual signs up for the military, there’s a chance he/she will come home in a flag-draped coffin.

Taps is sounded nightly in military installations to indicate “lights out” and mark the end of an evening. The lights have gone out on our Nation’s fallen heroes, but let’s keep the memories of their brave sacrifices burning brightly in our hearts. The National Moment of Remembrance takes place across America at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. Let us pray for those who mourn and also for our national leaders.

The Key: The flag of the United States of America doesn‘t unfurl because the wind blows it. It reverently unfurls with the last breath of every veteran who died to protect it.

He appeared to be no older than six or seven. Dave and I were on a four-lane road at a stop light in Mazatlán, Mexico, when he walked in front of all of the cars, carrying two plastic balls. The young juggler was going to perform for tips. The only problem was that he couldn’t juggle. He spent more time chasing his errant ball between cars than he did catching it mid-air. Plus, one cannot call transferring two balls from hand to hand “juggling.” Still, many drivers saw beyond his lack of talent and tipped the youngster. Here in Mexico, it is not uncommon for “entertainers” to camp out at busy intersections. From stilt-walkers to break dancers to fire jugglers to acrobats to musicians, all distract bored drivers and passengers, hoping for a few pesos of gratitude. Occasionally entrepreneurs walk up and down the rows of stopped cars, selling strawberries, trash bags or some yellow drink in a water bottle (which I have no plans to ever try). Groups wash windshields for tips, firemen hold out their helmets for handouts, amputees sit on corners, hoping to earn a living, and blind people are led by a helping friend through the rows of cars. You get the picture. There is no shortage of diversions while waiting for a light to turn green. The other day, however, I saw something disturbing. Across the busy street, standing in front of stopped cars coming the opposite direction, was a woman with a child—a child, not an infant– strapped horizontally on her back, while she attempted to juggle. Just as I noticed her, the light changed, and she hustled to the sidewalk area. I determined that when we returned and would be on her side of the street, I would give her more than the usual amount we donate. Our errand was a short one, but when we drove to her spot, she was gone. I was sick. How desperate this mother had to be to traverse through stopped cars in the hot sun doing whatever it took to make a little money! Had I been intentional, I could have had Dave stop in the parking lot after we crossed the intersection and run the money over to her. Instead, I opted to wait until it was convenient. Convenient. Probably not a word in this woman’s vocabulary. What can be convenient about spending my day begging, having no one to watch my toddler while being a side- show for the travelers too inconvenienced to help out? 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to keep a sense of urgency, whether the situation is convenient or inconvenient, and Proverbs 3:27-28 reinforces Timothy’s writing: Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time” or “Try me tomorrow. The intersection where that occurred is about 20 minutes from our house. I have returned there a few times, but the woman has been replaced by political supporters working for the upcoming election. Not only did this begging woman lose, but so did I. Pastor Jonathan Del Turco reminds us of who benefits from being put out: “Life teaches us that all too often the best things in life – its greatest breakthroughs, miracles and memories – seem to be deliberately placed just beyond our convenient reach.” I wish I would have thought of that when I had the chance.