By Danny Minton

As I thought back about my past this week, I remember going from Plano to Howe to see my Mamaw (Mother’s mother). I remember the smell of the creosote that soaked the fence posts. We drove with the windows down in those years since many cars did not have air conditioning. Another memory I have is seeing the Burma Shave signs on the side of the road. These were unique since they were a series of around five advertising signs spaced about fifty yards apart, with a humorous story that ended with their product name. Here are a few:

“He tried to cross /as a fast train neared / Death didn’t draft him / he volunteered / Burma-Shave”
“Don’t stick your elbow / out too far / It may go home / in another car / Burma-Shave”
“Said Farmer Brown / Who’s Bald on Top / Wish I could / Rotate the Crop / Burma Shave”
“Highways are / no place to sleep / stop your car / to count your sheep / Burma Shave”

We live in a world filled with signs. There are physical, man-made signs everywhere we go. Street signs help us find where we’re going, and house signs tell us when we are there. Store signs help us find where to shop, and once inside, signs with prices, sales, sizes, and items are all around to direct us to what we’re trying to find. Advertising billboards are all around, and at certain times, there are signs asking us to vote for a specific individual. Door signs, traffic signs, garage sale signs, danger signs, help wanted signs, no trespassing signs, speed limit signs, and signs giving directions are just a few of the thousands of signs we see every day.

Then there are the signs that occur, not with words, but past knowledge that tells us something we learned. Dark clouds can be a sign of rain coming our way, or a drop in temperature may indicate a front moving into our area. A scream can be a sign of someone scared or hurt, and a baby’s cry is a sign that they need attention. Fever and chills are signs of illness. These types of signs are all around us, providing us with information about the world in which we live.

Then, there are the signs we often take for granted. Those are the signs that God gives us. Some are simple to ignore; the rising of the sun every day we live, the rain that provides us with water for life, the shade of a tree for rest in the heat, or the many plants that provide food for our physical bodies. 

Add to these the signs that a Christian feels when close to God; the inner peace we feel knowing that God is there for us, the ability to not be afraid, knowing God walks with us every step of our lives, and the comfort we feel as death nears, knowing in our hearts of a promise made centuries ago. 

As we pay attention to the signs we see along the road, in the stores, or as part of our physical lives, let’s not forget the subtle signs from God that we take for granted. No matter how hard our days may be, God has promised to always be there for us. As long as people walk the face of this planet, there will be a rising sun, gentle rains, cool breezes, and most of all a promise that will be there until God calls us all home.

“Look outside / You’re not alone / God is with you / Til’ He calls you Home / Jesus Christ”

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ