Oh my goodness- I love signs. I’ve always been slightly obsessed with signs actually. I think you can tell a great deal about whomever the sign represents just by reading that sign. The fonts, the colors, even the shape of a sign says a lot. But the words…the words say it all.
When I say I’m obsessed with signs, I’m not exaggerating. I’ve been known to go out of my way on a drive just to read a sign that I’ve found interesting on a previous drive-by. The changing marquee signs are my absolute favorite. Why? Because you never know what form of literary genius- or lack thereof- you’re going to get. Some employee or volunteer, with varying levels of creativity and literacy, put the words on these signs. A quick drive-by of these signs can lead to some pretty interesting reading.
A disclaimer before sharing some recent favorites: “The views expressed by these signs and the companies or individuals who made said signs do not necessarily represent the views of the writer of this blog.”
Okay, now that we have that out of the way, here are some I’ve found interesting and/or perplexing recently.
“Come on in and meet your future ex-wife”
This is just exactly where a single girl wants to hang out.
“Drink a triple, see double, act single”
This establishment is the same one that posted the first example. A class act for sure.
“Jesus loves you SNOW much”
My question for this church- what are you thinking? Jesus is not a cliché so please don’t make Him one on your sign.
“Crazy cat ladies welcome here!”
Okay, this one is slightly clever since it was on a veterinary clinic. But then again, does a crazy cat lady actually know she’s a crazy cat lady?
A sign is – or at least should be- a representation of the establishment that posts it. I chuckle, shake my head, or cringe at the many signs I read in a given week. I love them, hate them, or am confused by them. At the end of the day, they are just entertainment for a person like me who loves words.
As much as I love signs, there is one "sign" that I don’t care for. “God gave me a sign…”
I don’t claim to be an expert theologian, but I think this saying is grossly misguided. God doesn’t need to put letters on a marquee, He doesn’t need neon flashing lights, and He certainly doesn’t have to use clever word-ease to get His point across.
What people consider “signs from God” don’t have to be words- that’s true. To be clear- He doesn’t need to get His message across in stealth mode or with any passivity either. He is not hiding behind a sign- no matter how clever.
Wouldn’t we all, from time to time, love a big flashing sign from God? Who wouldn’t love to see the “writing on the wall” when trying to make a big life decision? Even so, I’m convinced signs are not a part of His means of communication. God is too personal for signs.
God is active in our lives. God speaks to us- not in signs, but in real time, with real words. He lives in and through us. He is beside us, behind us, and goes before us. God doesn’t give us signs, He gives us Himself. He doesn’t have to ‘represent’ Himself. He is. Period.
Instead of asking God for a sign, ask for Him.
