Undercover

You've seen them around town, those rolling billboards that change any beater into a magnificent display of artistry. I even thought about getting one for my old Honda before we sold it.

"Is that a 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass? Well no, it's a steamy, cheesy slice of hot and ready pizza!"

It's the vehicle wrap: the cost-effective and broad-reaching advertising and marketing method. Did you know that one delivery truck with an effective vehicle wrap can generate millions of impressions? At least that is what the salesman will tell you.

Some of us, uh, I mean some of you, spend a lot of time deciding what we are going to wear for the day. We match, iron, tuck, press, shine, all so that we will look good when we are out in public. Then we grab our wrap, slip it on, head out the door, and viola...we cover up our true selves. We also carry wraps around in our pockets and purses just in case an advertising opportunity presents itself or we need to display a different product for our viewing audience.

There's Jane from the office. Better put on my "so good to see you" wrap.
There's the preacher. Better put on my "looking forward to Sunday" wrap.
Here comes you know who. Better put on my "I'm having a fake phone conversation so you won't talk to me" wrap.

Or how about this:

Time to go home. Better take off my "do anything for anyone" wrap and put on my "I've worked hard all day so you do it" wrap.

Those wraps are pretty convenient and we can be so creative with the design. But sometimes the impression we are generating is not the one that serves the best interest of ourselves and others. We need to practice more truth in advertising.
I know a place where you can find some inexpensive, attractive wraps that will benefit a lot of people, including yourself...

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14

No other form of advertising offers more return on your investment.

Lessons from an Acorn

I watched him as he picked up the shell. He studied it so closely trying to figure out what it was or was supposed to be. He rolled it over and over in his hand, prodding it with his tiny index finger.

"It's an acorn shell, buddy."

Jackson loves to explore the outdoors but what little boy doesn't?

Taking it in my hand I began to explain, "See, this is the house where a seed lives. God takes this little seed, plants it in the ground, and from this little seed that big tree grows."

I can see from his blank stare that he is taking it all in (or wondering why his dad is trying to explain tree taxonomy to a 2 year old).

I can't help but think about how God can take something so seemingly insignificant and nurture and grow it into a towering tree - a tree that can provide shelter for the birds, food for the critters, and food for a host of other creepy crawlies.

But that is how God works. He chooses people who may seem insignificant in the eyes of society and raises them up for something special.

In the Master Craftsman's hands he will nurture, grow, and form us into someone with great possibilities who can provide a blessing to many others. We just have to let Him.

My little acorn is growing way too fast.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31