From the Home Place

September 25, 2025

I’ll admit right up front that I have made plenty of just plain dumb decisions in my life. Some of those decisions have life-long effects, while others pass with time. Yet, most of those dumb decisions seemed to be good decisions at the moment.

As a person ages, there are a lot of changes that take place, especially physically. Strength that was once available has now faded into the sunset. Health that was good, is slowly deteriorating as well. Like the story goes, “My body is like an old car – My headlights are growing dimmer by the day, my engine is difficult to start. Speed is out of the question, and my radiator and muffler both leak.”

Yet one of the good things about growing older is that I make fewer dumb decisions, at least I can’t remember them. As I sit here this morning and look back over the years the Lord has given to me, yes there are several things I would change if it was possible, which it is not. But when it comes to faith and family, I will die a grateful old man.

The decision to marry my high-school sweetheart, Miss Deb, was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. For from that relationship, we have adult children who have brought our lives much joy, especially when they started bringing “short-legged” people home with them!

On the faith side, my only regret is that I didn’t accept Christ as Savior at a younger age. Yet the forty-three years of walking with Him have been an amazing journey. I’m so grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me much more than I could have ever earned, and that He has not given me that which I truly deserved. I love that my Lord is both graceful and merciful.

The sadness of my heart today is for all of the folks that I know who have never made a decision to follow Jesus. Just like making dumb or smart decisions, God allows each individual to make a decision to follow Him, or not.

Much like I cannot blame God for the dumb decisions I have made through the years of my life, those who decide not to follow Jesus will not be able to blame God on their judgment day. You see friends, God does not decide to send anyone to Hell. People decide to go there by refusing to decide to follow Jesus, God’s offer of salvation. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for their deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

It’s a simple fact that we humans often make bad decisions. So, to anyone who might be reading this blog I say, “Don’t make another dumb decision by refusing salvation through Jesus Christ.” I assure you, a life with Jesus is the smartest thing you will ever chose!

Making a wise decision with you, Neal