Road Signs

You have seen the signs along the road.
They may say various things, but their purpose is the same.
They are set up in such a way that the driver is expected to read them.
I have seen a series of these signs when we are on vacation.

We usually vacation in the Outer Banks.
The signs appear miles before you reach the actual place.
A farmer with a large produce stand uses the signs to advertise.
Each sign allows the driver to see what produce is available.

The signs are large enough and placed far enough apart that is is possible to read them safely.
It is when the signs are smaller and closer together, you tend to miss many of them.
I assume the signs are an effective way to get the word out.
Why else would a business continue to use that technique?

I have been seeing signs on the road lately.
They are placed strategically on various front lawns.
They are simple white signs with black letters.
Since I was seeing them in so many different locations, I wanted to pay attention.

In 2017, Amy Wolff was stunned at the number of suicides in her community.
In 2017, roughly 47,173 Americans died by suicide.
There were an estimated 1,400,000 suicide attempts that same year.
This inspired Amy to do something to help raise awareness for mental health.

Amy went to work creating yard signs with messages of support.

“The idea of encouraging yard signs had been bouncing around in my head for years but it was always ‘just a silly idea’. That is until May 2017 – then it became something,” Amy says. (https://tanksgoodnews.com/2019/05/29/inspirational-signs-mental-health/)

Amy and her family knocked on doors asking for permission to put signs on their lawn.
It was suggested that the sign could be placed there for two weeks.
People were extremely supportive.
The signs have no branding, no website, and no organization.

Soon the idea caught on and people were asking to buy the signs.
A year later, the movement was not slowing down.
Amy began the non-profit, Don’t Give Up.
Amy has shipped messages to all 50 US states and 26 countries, in 6 different languages.

I saw these signs in front of a house nearby.
I have to pass this house on the way out to the main road.
I have to pass this house on the way back home.
I smiled at their message, though I wondered why they were on the lawn.

After researching, now I know.
I have no idea how many people pass those signs on any given day.
Of the people who pass by, how many may of them may be struggling?
How many people may see even one of those black and white signs and ponder the message?

I appreciate the road signs.
I am sure that they give hope and encouragement to many who read them.
I am glad that they are there.
However, there is more to the story.

Why do you matter?
Because you are made in God’s Image. (Genesis 1:27)

Why are you not defined by your mistakes?
Because, as far as the east is from the west, that is how far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

Why are you worthy of love?
Because, God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Why should we not give up?
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12)

You are engraved on God’s hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
God loves you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
God will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Press on.
Hold on to the One who is holding you.
Be sure of His love for you.
Rejoice that you are His treasure.

The full story needs to be told.
Hope has to have an anchor.
Our Anchor is the Lord Jesus.
Jesus is our Hope and our solid ground.