My Favorite Letter Board Signs
I have a hobby of collecting photos of messages on letter boards. These short “sermons” can pack a punch in a few words. Here are a few of my favorites. These are from signs that I have personally seen:
“If you’re not nice, pretend.” This one was posted by a business not far from my home when I lived in an eastern state. I thought that most people would agree with it. We generally prefer to be treated kindly, even if we know it is faked. A positive word and tone can make our day easier. Also, kind words can influence the speaker. When we are tempted to be mean, but we speak kindly instead, our hearts can be influenced by our own words. Acting nice can change us into nice people.
“He who limps is still walking.” This one impacted me because it seemed tailor made for me. I often feel like I am limping through life because of some of my weak points. But I have experienced that persistence pays, especially when it seems like I am moving slowly. Look on the bright side if you are handicapped somehow. An average talent who works a plan will accomplish more than a genius who has no plan. You will reach a higher destiny than you thought possible, if you keep going.
“Well done is better than well said.” From a church letter board. It reminded me that eloquence is nice, but action is greater. There is power in setting a right example. While we may forget many witty sayings, we never forget someone who helps us out of a bind. The person who actually shows up and helps is better than the one who says good things about helping.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” When we think about God’s gift of eternal life, one lifetime seems enough time to reckon with eternity and make sure of salvation. What a tragedy to neglect this most important opportunity until it is too late. The Bible says “…people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9.27). Discovering how to pass the judgment should be the first priority for all of us. Don’t waste this gift of time to prepare for heaven.
By Barry Kimbrough
Pastor, Cave Junction, Brookings, and Gold Beach Seventh-day Adventist Churches
