WHAT'S IT WORTH?

How do we determine what something is worth?  Yesterday was a good reminder of the value of things that are bartered, bought, or given freely.

I did a ridealong with Mike as he delivered something he had sold on Craig's list.  It was a carrying case for a bow/arrow that he bought so many years ago that he couldn't remember what he paid for it.

Yesterday he sold it for $30.  The buyer couldn't have found a case for anything close to that price, so the convergence of value, benefit, and price caused BUYER/SELLER BLISS.

Then we stopped by the Jeep dealership to pick up a part Mike had ordered when a carwash knocked the old one off.  See it over there in the white wrapper?  It was a piece of plastic formed in Mexico...just a black plastic disc about 2.5" in diameter.  It cost $27. REALLY?  I looked at it all the way home.

It put into perspective how much money will buy and inflation will steal.  Our recently acquired $30 flew away in a rather unequal exchange.  NO BUYERS BLISS.

Last night Condoleeza Rice spoke at UofA's Barnhill Arena.  It was FREE, but we didn't go because we didn't want to slosh/slip on the ice.  The Hogs were in town (beating Ole Miss on Seniors Night) and they drew 16,000...so Ms. Rice only drew 3,000.

We read in the paper this morning that she was paid $170,000.  I love Condi and I'm glad she commands that fee.  But isn't it crazy how much things cost?

According to the newspaper article, the former Secretary of State spoke on various subjects relevant to the  student's future/finding a match to how they were made.  But she also made remarks about Russia and about what an "intimidating and ruthless" man Putin is.  She said in their 2005 meeting, the Russian leader abruptly stood up.  So Rice instinctively did the same.  "I'm 5'10"; he's 5'7", Rice said.  "So at that moment, there was a little bit of a standoff.  He's an intimidator.  It's important to let him know you're not intimidated."

In this dance between what something is worth vs. what it costs, the University of Arkansas set value on ideas.  I hope those college students (and adults) who landed on a rare free opportunity...were challenged by this accomplished woman.  I wish we had heard her.

What do you value?  Won't we take ideas over plastic any day?  The best things in life ARE free.

One day when this earth is done, the plastic will melt like snow.  The two preeminent ideas...the ideas that God the Father loves us fully and has the next destination prepared...will rule the day.  Amazingly, that assurance is free (to us) for the asking.  It is pure BLISS to consider amazing grace.  Are you familiar with this older verse from the song "Amazing Grace"?

THE EARTH SHALL SOON DISSOLVE LIKE SNOW

THE SUN FORBEAR TO SHINE;

BUT GOD, WHO CALL'D ME HERE BELOW

WILL BE FOREVER MINE.