Here’s Your Sign
“I am out in public and using the phone. I am in a phone booth, got the phone in my hand and a man taps on the glass and says, ‘You using the phone?’
‘Nope, I’m superman. I am just looking for my costume.
Here’s your sign!’”
~ Bill Engvall
In the 1990’s, Blue Collar comedian Bill Engvall coined the phrase “Here’s your sign” as a punchline to “cleverly point out the regular stupidity he observed in the world around him.”
If you aren’t familiar with the bit, a “Here’s your sign” joke pokes fun at situations where people ask such obvious or redundant questions that they should be wearing a sign that says, “I’m stupid.”
For readers who are new to Candidly Christian, my name is Valerie Riese. I wrote for Candidly Christian regularly from 2017-2022. During that time, I was prayer team liaison and co-director, and Heather taught me what it means to write for Jesus.
After Heather’s near-fatal battle with Covid, we both decided we needed a break for a few months. For me, the blogging break turned into a few years while my writing and editing business grew, and my marriage failed.
My return blog is about a recent time when earned my sign, and Heather was gracious enough to provide it.
Once a Candid Gal is always a Candid Gal. Even though I wasn’t writing, I was lurking in the background as an editor, supporting the ministry where I could, and maintaining precious friendships.
In June 2024, after seven years of working, writing, crying, and laughing together, Heather and I finally met in person for the first time to attend the Write to Publish conference held by the Christian Writers Institute at Wheaton College.
I live a few hours north of Wheaton, IL, so Heather spent the night at my apartment before we left to pick up fellow Candid Gal, Sherry Chamblee at the Milwaukee, WI airport on the way to Wheaton to join us for the conference. And that’s where I got my sign.
Getting out of the parking ramp was a challenge. Maybe it was because of the excitement of meeting old, new friends. Maybe it was lack of sleep. Or maybe it was because I’m just notoriously directionally challenged.
Whatever the reason, I could not find my way out of the parking ramp. While pillars, walkways, and ramps seemed to reproduce and multiply at every turn, I simply could not find the exit.
Just as I feared we’d miss the conference and spend the week car camping in the parking ramp, Heather pointed out the dashboard window and ever-so-sweetly suggested, “What about the neon red exit sign with the flashing green arrow right in front of you?”
Here’s your sign.
It turns out there were red exit signs with a flashing green arrows scattered all throughout the ramp, at least according to my faithful backseat drivers. Thanks to my friends pointing them out to me every time I hit the brakes, we made it out of the ramp before midnight. However, there is no end in sight to the laughter.
At the end of the trip, after Heather had flown home, Sherry and I went for a walk and remembered the blessings of the week, beginning with side-splitting laughter before we even got on the highway.
During my quiet time today, I miss my friends, and I wondered how often we miss God’s signs for us.
As I write, I am eight days from ending a marriage of twenty-four years. As the beat of the drum grows louder each day, I pray and ask God if I’m really doing the right thing, if I’m truly walking in His will as I exit my marriage.
Will I someday look back on this and mourn walking away from the love of my life?
Will next week be the beginning of the greatest tragedy in my family and the story of my life?
Or will it mark the end of sorrow and hurt, and send us to hope for a better future?
Today, as I look for His signs in hopes that I’m not missing the obvious, instead, I discover a pattern. I see the exit signs, but sometimes I miss the flashing green arrows.
Things like answered prayers and open doors. Inspiration, creativity, laughter, a good night’s rest, the birds’ songs, a glimpse of elusive wildlife. Just as my day seems to turn gray, encouragement from friends and even strangers seem to fall into my lap to nourish my soul as a cool, mid-summer shower.
As I ponder each of His flashing arrows, I realize they are all colored with peace. Peace beyond understanding. Peace in the sorrow and in the storm. Peace not as the world gives.
Are you headed towards an exit, looking for a sign to lead you to tomorrow? Do you find yourself on an unexpected path accompanied by different travel companions on the way to learn something new?
Whatever it is that helps you move forward with your day, these are God’s flashing green arrows leading you to both the exit and the highway.
Today, I invite you to cling to each of His signs knowing that you need not be troubled. Just follow the signs from the One who published your map, and take peace in knowing you never travel alone.
Jesus, Thank you for carrying me through and leading me back. I pray that everyone who reads these words You have given me will seek You more today and every day. May their hearts always be humble to hear You, to recognize Your signs, to discern Your will, and to know that You are the one and only true Prince of Peace.
I love you, Jesus.
Amen
