From the Home Place

December 6, 2025

We are at 32 degrees, headed for 43, with wind, snow and maybe rain later. You go WYO!

Last night and today, Miss Deb and I are at a Trade Fair with a some of her embroidery items. If the name of this event was made up of biblical words, we would attempt to understand the words in an effort to understand how it works. “Trade Fair” – Trade means you and I trade, barter, or exchange items; none of which takes place at the Trade Fair, everything is for sale. Fair would indicate that we trade or exchange things in a “fair” – equally beneficial – method. I can’t say much of that happens either. Yet, I think something close to this is might have taken place last night.

Miss Deb makes these really cute little bear critters. They are super soft and just the right size for little hands to hold. Well, there is one short-legged feller who has completely captured my ‘ol ticker. He is so cute, and busy. He and I walked around the exhibit building several times looking at all of the pictures of critters. He knew most all of them including “buff-lo, elk, moose, deer, cow, horse, bear, pig, goat and a picture of a cowboy riding a bull was a “buck.” Yep, he is ranch-raised and offered to “shoot” the wildlife as we went by with his pointed index finger. He took a real likin’ to his little bear.

One other bear was given by Miss Deb to a super cute little girl that we have known since she was a baby. Just a tad over a yearling, her blond curls and beautiful blue eyes captivate everyone she stops to visit with. Needless to say, when she stopped by Miss Deb’s booth, a pink bear jumped into her arms as well! She unzipped her pink coat, revealing a vest, right where she wanted Miss Bear to ride. After giving Miss Deb a big, beautiful smile, she and Grandma continued their shopping adventure.

So, you see, there are some things that end up being traded at a Trade Fair after all; we both traded a stuffed bear for a smile and a few minutes of jabber from a little one. You might say we traded a small toy for a big joy!

Isn’t that exactly what our Savior has done for us. We have absolutely nothing to offer Him, other than a smile and a meaningful “I love You,” or a “Thank You!” Otherwise, we absolutely beggarly poor. Look at Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” When we come to Jesus, we are spiritually poorer than the poorest beggar. We are absolutely bankrupt in that we have nothing to offer to Jesus for our salvation. Our riches, our stature in society, our dynamic personality, our kindness, all fall terribly short of being able to trade what we have for the salvation that He has for us.

Yet, by His amazing grace, He kindly looks at us, smiles and offers a salvation that no other can offer. A salvation that exchanges the hell we deserve for an opportunity to live with Him at His place. All Jesus asks in exchange, is a confession of my guilt and a need of the gift He offers.

With each little one last night, Miss Deb and I both asked the little one, “Do you want a bear?” Jesus asks, “Do you want salvation?” When we tell Him that we have nothing to trade for such a glorious gift, He then freely gives. He gives us an opportunity to walk with Him for the rest of our days on this ‘ol ball of dirt and then on into eternity. We receive a gift, a true treasure, that brings a big smile to our face. We give self to gain a Savior. WOW! what a trade!

Enjoying a “fair trade” with you, Neal