Keep your eye out for any divine signs

"This will be a sign to you."

- Luke 2:12 (NIV)

A good friend of mine called and asked me if my husband could make her a sign. Jeff is a creative pin-striper and sign artist.

She went on to explain that the sign has a special significance. Her neighbor of many years had just passed away and a few of the neighbors discussed they would all like to pitch in for some flowers. She thought it would be meaningful to place a small street sign, "Elm Street," to signify the flower arrangement was from the friends on the street where they all live.

After checking with Jeff, I assured her he could make her a small sign similar to the ones posted in the subdivision.

The next day my friend called me to see how the sign was coming along.

"You won't believe what I found out. The man the sign is being made for actually made street signs on his job." We were both amazed!

A street sign was being made to add to the funeral flowers to commemorate the passing of a man who made street signs. That was not the original intention for the sign, but it added a new twist that sounded miraculously woven together.

Hearing this, we can treasure the biblical meaning of the word sign.

The Greek word semeion means the "finger-marks of God, valuable not so much for what they are as for what they indicate of the grace and power of the Doer." In other words, I see this sign story as a visible mark left by the invisible hand of God, the Doer, of this amazing act.

The wonder of this incident has special importance this time of year. The Scriptures tell us that suddenly a great company of heavenly host of angels appeared to a group of shepherds tending to their flocks, announcing, "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger."

When they found this baby, it would be a sign of God's gift of salvation.

God gives us signs for divine guidance and to show his love for us. In this season for signs and miracles, I pray you receive the sign of God's love and embrace the little signs he leaves along the way, like the one he left on Elm Street.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak at your church or group. She can be contacted at (847) 543-8413; P.O. Box 532 Grayslake, IL 60030; or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.