EXCHANGE

"Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

to waste much time of the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, Good folks," he cried,

"Who'll start the bidding for me?"

"A dollar, a dollar, then two, only two?

Two dollars, who'll make it three?

Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three..."

But no...from the room far back a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening up all the strings;

He played a melody pure and sweet,

As caroling angels sing.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer

In a voice that was quiet and low,

Said "What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars! And who'll make it two?

Two thousand! who'll make it three?

Two thousand once, two thousand twice,

And going and gone!" said he.

But some of the foolish people cried,

"We do not quite understand

What changed the worth of the old violin?"

Swift came the reply,

"The touch of a Master's hand!"

And many a man with life out of tune

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd

Much like the old violin.

A 'mess of pottage,' a glass of wine,

A game, and he travels on.

He's going once, he's going twice,

He's going, and almost gone.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul,

And the change that's wrought

By the touch of the Master's Hand.

~traditional

We had several children in Sunday School today, and they were a blessing to us, as always. We told them the story about Esau and Jacob. We told them how Esau came in from hunting totally starving, and he asked Jacob for some of the stew that he was cooking. I told them that Jacob said, "OK, but I want you to promise me something first." One of the children added what she is sure he wanted, and said that Jacob told Esau that he had to say 'please' and 'thank you' first. LOL I explained that, even more importantly, Esau had to promise Jacob that he could have all of his inheritance and his birthright if he had the bowl of stew. Esau promised this to Jacob, and he gave up his birthright in exchange for a 'mess of pottage.' The childen were rightfully horrified that he would think so little of such an important thing in his life. I tried to explain that we must be careful that we do not exchange the most important things in life for something that does not matter. I hope they understood, as they appeared to comprehend the concept.

The New York Stock Exchange dims in importance when we view eternal choices that are made daily in our lives. The Bible succinctly asks: "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" I have read about and seen losses-I experienced a coworker who faced the loss of a child this week; and I read about a town in South Dakota that is taking the loss of 1.3 million dollars on a business, and writing it off as paid. These are unspeakable losses, but I must guard against the exchange of my soul with any earthly circumstance or possession.

Below is the button flower gardens we crafted today while we ate popcorn and drank koolaid. The work is very rewarding. Thank you for praying for the work in Lower Brule.