From the Home Place

February 27, 2026

Another beautiful windy day in Wyoming. A strong WNW wind will wear on people and critters alike on this beautiful 61 degree day. Maybe a person should wear a cap instead of the Stetson today?

Growing up in ranch country, I soon realized that a western hat was the head covering of choice. Though some wore a cap from time-to-time (most often a scotch cap in the winter) a hat was the most common way to keep the sun from baking a feller’s brain bucket.

Man, have I been blessed to see some awesome hats over my years. Grease and sweat soaked. Manure and dirt stained. Rainwater streaked. Those were some fine-looking hats! The brim had a certain droop to it. No, you can’t buy a beautiful hat like that at the local store, but you can make one after years of living life on a ranch.

It wasn’t at all unusual to see a blood stain showing off on a feller’s hat. Sometimes the blood was from a critter – earned during a branding or hunting experience – and sometimes the blood was from that man’s own carcass! When such a stain was found on a hat, there was for sure a story worth listening to tied to that stain.

Last summer I was blessed to preach at a country church in our home county. One day a young feller around 12 years-of-age walked into the building, wearing a hat that had seen some miles. The brim had just the right amount of droop to it, the sweat band was dark and dirty, the crown had dents and dings in it; it was truly a fine-looking sombrero.

I walked over to the young feller who was proudly wearing the grand Stetson and asked him, “Did you inherit that hat, or did you earn it?” He softly, yet firmly replied, “I earned it.” Meaning that it wasn’t a pass-me-down from his pappy or one of his big brothers, this young man had put every stain on that hat all of his own accord. I gave the young lad a fist-bump, a big smile and told him that I truly admired him and his hat, but in church, a man takes his hat off in respect of the good Lord. He smiled and tucked his hat under his arm. Every time I have seen that young man sense, he has shared a big smile, a fist-bump and a good conversation.

You see my friends, an old, stained cowboy hat has a story to tell of a life being lived with plenty of hard work, adventure and even some danger. You can tell a lot about a man, or boy, who wears such a grand head covering.

Last evening, I met with a group of young men who all wear such a hat for Christ. These hats look a tad bit different, but are also stained by blood, sweat, rain and hard work. But the stains have a different origin. The blood is from Jesus, not a critter. The sweat is from hours of study, prayer and obedience. The rain is from the Holy Spirit pouring down upon these young men. And the stains of hard work on these hats is the result of years of living by the motto that it is better to give than to receive. You see my friend, these young men each wear a hat that looks somewhat like a halo.

No, these young men are not saints. they are just men who love Jesus, and love people. They serve, they give and they care, each one in his own way and in his own special environment.

So, what does your Christian hat look like? Is it stained with the blood of Jesus and years of sweat and hard work for His glory? Or is your hat pretty, clean and in perfect shape, looking just like it did the first day you put it on? Oh, and one last question. If I was to walk up to you on Sunday morning and ask you, “Did you inherit that hat or did you earn it?” what would be your answer?

In 1 Peter 5:4 Peter is speaking specifically to elders in the church, but I think he is also speaking to all of us as Christ-followers. Here Peter tells us that we are to prove ourselves to “be examples to the flock.” For such a person, Peter states, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” But until that time occurs, we have work to do. The kind of spiritual hard work that will leave a stain on your go-to-church Stetson. So, wear it with a smile and the kindness that blesses those around you, while it brings glory to God!

Trading a Stetson for a crown with you, Neal