It is hot. When we are hot, work or problems seem more difficult. The electricians replaced some smoke alarms today. They were hot working in the loft. The little guy balanced himself on the top of the ladder and even stood on one leg from time to time. I pictured myself doing such balance beam athletics 25 years ago when we bought the New House. It would not have happened.

Much of our walk back to Jerusalem is on what the old folks said when referring to a paved road when I was a lad: ‘the hard road.’ Often I heard the old wise ones reference the Hard Road. I wondered where the road with the peculiar name was located.

The Old Man has been on the Hard Road more than once. Life looks bleak on the Hard Road. Nothing seems to go right. About the time you think you are getting ahead, another boulder is rolled in front of you. Money is a big problem on the Hard Road. Your resources are meager, and your commitments are major. Shall I purchase gasoline or medicine or food? All necessities in rural America. Many of us do not have doctors or lawyers in our household. We watch the stock market with mild amusement as we have no holdings. We heard that God loves us but in the heat of June 30th, it is hard to fathom. Does God see we poor, homeless, marginalized, voiceless, pushing our grocery carts down the sidewalk?

‘The odds are good, but the goods are odd,’ the Alaska native said. ‘Inflation is killing the economy; affordability is not a Democratic word or problem. Working two or three jobs is not a viable option; child care is unaffordable. Is the Christ of Social Justice among us?

‘Listen to words of joy, peace, reconciliation,’ the Preacher said. ‘The halt and lame shall eat with princes,’ the Preacher said. ‘We are in the midst of a test of our veracity and tenacity,’ the Preacher continued. ‘We are persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed,’ the Preacher admonished.

‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’