The Stones Cried Out

I passed the historic building at the corner of Market and High Streets.
I remember ten years ago, a ruling came down which had all eyes focused on that corner.
Our county courthouse is on that corner.
On our courthouse hung a plaque of the Ten Commandments.

The courthouse is in a university town, peaceful, quaint, not known for protestors.
In April 2002, it took less than 60 seconds to cover the Ten Commandments plaque.
The 50-by-39-inch plaque was covered in tan aluminum to match the building facade.
A ruling stated that this display on a county government building is unconstitutional.

Up to the time of the lawsuit, the plaque had been on the courthouse for 82 years.
The case went before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
If the decision of the judge was upheld, the plaque would have to be removed.
If the county won its appeal, the plaque could be uncovered and allowed to remain.

It was a divisive time.
During that time, I was the County Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer.
Every first Thursday of May, people all over the country gathered to pray for our nation.
They gathered in their homes, in churches, and on courthouse steps.

I thought it was such a blessing to have our countywide event at the courthouse.
However, in April, a month before our event, the plaque was ordered to be covered.
How disappointing that the Ten Commandment plaque could not be seen.
We moved our podium to a different location away from the covered plaque.

On this particular corner is a hot dog vendor.
Wally’s Wiener World had been on that same corner, in that same spot for years.
Nothing moves Wally or his hot dog cart.
Nothing until a gathering of people was called to pray.

I talked to Wally, who told me his real name.
Only you and my mom can call me that! he teased.
When he heard what we were doing, he voluntarily moved around the corner.
Without his cart in the usual place, everyone could see the pastors leading in prayer.

Wally doesn’t move for anyone, I was told over and over.
He moved for Something greater than hot dog sales.
Wally heard the prayers of the people all day long.

No matter where you looked, people had their office windows open.
Cars driving by put their windows down as they were at the traffic light.
People walking by on their lunch hour stopped to pray and sing.
There was a holy reverence, a calm, and a peace that permeated the corner.

All divisiveness was put aside for the two hours we were there on the steps.
God’s people came together and prayed.
People, who had no idea why they were drawn to the corner, came and joined us.

My heart was full, but also sad because when I turned my head, I saw the covered plaque.
We had a videographer film the event for the two hours we gathered there.
I noticed an older gentleman, who was obviously a veteran, sitting in front.
He was sitting on the old stone wall which wrapped around the corner.

He never moved; except to lift his hands in prayer.
It wasn’t until later, when everything was done, that someone asked me the question.
Did you see the plaque?
I couldn’t understand why someone would ask about something so painful.
I must have looked confused.

The plaque? Yes, how I wished it could have been uncovered today.

No, the one the veteran brought with him.

I received my explanation.
This wonderful older gentleman had made a replica of the plaque.
It looked just like the original that had been covered so abruptly by court order.
He brought the plaque with him and leaned it against the old stone wall, I was told.

No one on the platform saw it there.
All those who joined us, who prayed, and who sang, had the plaque in their view.
The plaque was there after all; uncovered for all to see.
How I wish I could have talked to that courageous veteran.
The veteran who knew that God’s law is more powerful than man’s law.

God will make Himself known.
God will make His Word known.
Man cannot silence God.

When He came to the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it, and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes…” (Luke 19:37-42)

In June 2003, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made a decision.
Our suburban Philadelphia County was able keep the Ten Commandments plaque on the facade of the courthouse, uncovered.

God will not be silenced.
God will not be mocked.

The stones DID cry out that day.
Against that old stone wall, the Ten Commandments were clearly visible for all to see.
And a hot dog vendor, who never moved for anyone, moved for Someone greater.