From the Home Place

April 14, 2026

We will start this one at 38 degrees, expecting 50 for a high, with the chance of some rain. We’ll take it.

Yesterday, we gave $5 per gallon for diesel fuel here in Lusk. I remember back in 1971, my dad went bonkers because gas cost 36 cents per gallon. He declared that if I wanted to go anywhere with the pickup, I had to buy the gas to get there and back, otherwise I could ride a horse.

Well, the $8 for a round trip to Guernsey and back was close to a day’s wages on most ranch jobs back then, so I rode a horse. Thirty miles each way, to see a certain young lady who lived in Guernsey. Though I made this trip only a couple of times during the summer, it was a big trip to see the beautiful little brunette who had captured my ticker.

As I rode south, I rode through pastures as much as possible, yet there I had to watch for badger holes, cactus and rattlesnakes. However, riding through pastures kept me out of the sight of most folks. I say most folks because after one of my journeys there would always be someone say something like, “I saw you riding south the other day, there must be a pretty strong magnetic pull in that direction.” And there was a really strong pull to the south, but it sure was a long ride when I had to head back north.

My, how times have changed. Today, I don’t even own a horse, fuel is $5 per gallon, and that cute little brunette now has gray hair and I have none. Oh, the things a young feller will do for love! You see, back in 1971, I was in love, as I understood it then. But today, that love is so much deeper and richer. Back then, my love for Deb was pretty much one-sided, my side. I loved her for what she brought into my life. Today, I love Miss Deb for that same reason yet watching her shine as the woman of God she has become is what makes me love her more each day. I suppose my love is pretty much still one sided, but now, it greatly favors what I can do for Miss Deb.

Isn’t that the way love for God works as well? We start loving Jesus because of what He has done for us, and then as we mature, we begin to love Him because of what He lets us do for Him. No, I am not implying that Jesus “needs” any of us to do anything for Him, I’m simply stating that because of a deep love for Jesus Christ, I love doing things that will bless Him. and the people He brings into my life

Sometimes serving my Savior is a long, hard journey; much like riding 30 miles on a horse. Yet in the same way, it is love that draws me upon those journeys. Each day I live another part of the journey with Jesus, on my ride home! You see, one of these days, I will reach that final destination, and when I do I expect to be just as excited to see the face of Jesus Christ as I was excited to see the face of Debby Foy over fifty years ago! For on that day, love will be perfected.

But for today, I’ll saddle a colt and ride another part of that journey. I’ll love on my girlfriend, and I’ll also go over and help a sweet little neighbor lady fix her front door lock. After that job is complete, I will most like return home to spend some more time studying for Sunday’s lesson and sermon. Oh yah, I will most like take a few minutes to work on our recent jigsaw puzzle as well. Other than that, what takes place this day is in His hands, it’s all part of the journey.

So, my friend, will you ride with Jesus today? For you too are riding down a road that has an end to it. Are you ready to stand before your Maker? “Heavenly Father, I ask of You that today You will use this little note to remind each of us that just as You chose our beginning date, You also have planned our end date. Please help each of us to be ready for the day that we arrive in Your presence, may it be a day of rejoicing because today, we walk with Jesus! Thank You Father God!” Amen

Riding south with you, Neal