According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Social Security Trust Fund runs out of reserves in 2030. In 2031, unless the law changes, the government can only pay out the Social Security tax collected during that budget year.

Unfunded state pensions for public employees are a problem nationwide, totaling 1.28 trillion dollars. The three states in the worst position? Illinois, New Jersey, and Kentucky, all of which have less than 40% of their future pension liabilities funded. Kansas ranks 29^th, at 67% funded.

Who knows what the deferred maintenance totals in our nation’s roads, bridges, sewers, water lines, storm sewers, airports, parks, etc.? We know that in Bourbon County and our incorporated towns alone, the number is well over $100 million.

About 25 years ago, I served on the Johnson County Infrastructure Advisory Committee. We heard testimony after testimony from public works directors from around the region as to the necessity of maintaining systems. It costs five times as much to repair as to maintain, was the common theme. After much analysis, we recommended to the commission a fully-funded maintenance plan with the allocated tax revenue, which was promptly ignored. The county commission voted to spend 100% of the prescribed tax receipts on a new pet project that was important to the public. Budgeted for maintenance? Zero.

Why is this happening? Why did we not have the foresight to set up a self-funded system for Social Security and state pensions that would need no future contributions at some point in time? Why have we not budgeted for infrastructure maintenance, preferring to pay five times more for repairs?

My view? These investments are invisible. There is no political capital in having reserves in the bank, or underground improvements maintained. It is easier to get elected when politicians “rob Peter, to pay Paul.” There is no political penalty for ignoring the problem, especially at the national level.

Do I blame the politicians? No. They are acting at the impulse of the voters. We want free things. We want beautiful amenities. We want it all now! After all, this is how many of us run our home finances.

The economic development of an area is significantly impacted by these invisible factors. Site selectors and outsiders examine these factors when determining where to locate. Residents get tired of paying higher taxes and receiving less in services, and they move away.

We have to start playing the long game in our Bourbon County communities by repairing, then maintaining, all that is broken with our streets, sewers, etc. I am too old to sell my truck and buy a horse in order to get around.

Let’s work together to formulate a plan to make these invisible investments at home, and in our local governments. As voters, let’s quit rewarding politicians whose focus is instant gratification at all levels of government. Our future economic viability depends on it.

After years of watching Francis Chan’s sermons on line and following his transformation from leading a mega-church to evangelizing in China to starting living room churches, I recently had a chance to meet him. Between speaking engagements in the Kansas City area, he, a few missionaries, and their families were at my son Adam’s ranch, enjoying the peace and quiet of Midwest country life. Since my Zoom Bible study for the past 22 weeks had dealt with his book Crazy Love, I couldn’t wait to share how much he impacted our group. Our conversation was light and fun, centering around his wife and children, some details of his ministry and the experience he and his team were having in K.C. Somehow the conversation turned to my trials in raising three sons, and the group of adults seemed amazed that a teenager as challenging as Adam could turn out to be so kind and gracious. (Only by the grace of God.)

That’s when Adam told Francis that I had been in the Bible study based on his book. He questioned who led it. I told him. He brought out his phone and asked how to spell the leader’s name. Strange, I thought, but I spelled “Frank Guidara” and added, “He’s the one who organized the Zoom call.” Francis checked his phone and said that he didn’t have that name in his accounts. “Is there another name the study could have registered under?” I was becoming alarmed. “Dale somebody led it. I don’t know his last name.” Alarm was morphing to panic. “Most are Vietnam vets and their wives,” I added, trying to give some credibility to our little group. Surely he wouldn’t charge a fee to a group of retired, military heroes!

No one in my group had mentioned paying a registration fee to use Crazy Love for a Bible study. I was throwing a whole group of Christians under the bus, the longer I talked. “I’m just kidding. We never had a Bible study,” I said, trying to add some humor to this ridiculously awkward situation. Everyone laughed, but then Francis continued. “That’s just so strange that there doesn’t seem to be any registration for your group.” All eyes were on me, and although I usually appreciate it when that happens, this was different. It was then that Lisa, his wife, turned to her husband. “Since when do people have to register to use your book?”

Francis started cracking up. “I’m just messing with Patty. Of course, no one has to register to do a Bible study!”

He had me. Everyone—even Francis’ close friends—started laughing. And so did I. The evangelist said that if I could raise Adam and find delight in his antics, I must have a good sense of humor. Somehow, he understood me, and I loved it. And I loved his realness. The same man who once confronted his congregation, expressing his fear that the majority of them were lukewarm Christians who would never make it to Heaven, could have turned this time into a stern sermon, or at least could have asked for my take on his thought-provoking book. Instead, he brought levity into the conversation.

I need to learn from Francis. Everything doesn’t have to be a “Heaven or Hell” lecture or have a spiritual message. Sometimes we just need to bring joy into our exchanges so that others will want to hang with us which, in turn, will reveal the reality of who Christ is in us. No doubt, that is a huge part of Francis Chan’s ministerial success.