Handprints

I read a true story recently about a "ghostly" image on a wall of a house that was being remodeled.

Seems the homeowner was using "mud" (joint compound) to smooth the old plaster walls so they could be painted or papered. When he got down from the ladder, he noticed a hand print in the wet compound, but was sure he had not placed his hand on the wall. He wondered if the house was haunted.

Over the next couple of hours, the image gradually faded. His ultimate theory: the original builder had put his hand in the wet plaster, leaving a very shallow indentation. It did not show up until the new owner covered over it. Because it was slightly deeper than the rest of the wall, the print showed up as a different color, eventually disappearing when the entire coating was dry.

That made me wonder: does my Builder's hand print reveal itself in my life? I pray that my Creator's image remains strong, no matter how old I get. As long as I rely on Him, maybe I won't cover up His mark.

"Relying on the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace" (2 Timothy 1:8-9, HCSB).

It's Easy Being Green

Being green is all the rage these days. Seems like it happened faster than it takes to pump a dollar’s worth of gas. Who was talking about being green three months ago?

Now, everywhere you turn, some company trumpets their latest earth-friendly initiative, or tells you how you can join the “revolution.” My credit union has a “green” url, according to their Web site. Isn’t the Internet inherently “green”? It eliminates the need for paper, stamps, gas to go shopping, and energy for phone calls. (Okay, that last one is tongue-in-cheek.)

I remember when being “green” was ugly. It meant you were unreasonably jealous. No one would admit to having this weakness, and if you were accused of it, you would get even more upset.

Then, of course, there were the little green men from Mars. And you certainly didn’t want to claim that distinction.

Not that I have a problem with saving the earth. After all, “the earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1, NIV). We should do all we can, within reason, to preserve natural resources and protect the environment.

It’s just that I wonder why so many people can become evangelists for creation, but they’re ashamed to speak up on behalf of the Creator. They’re eager to learn ways to save energy, but few are willing to go out of their way to know the Savior.

Jesus promised, “Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you?” (Matthew 10:32-33, MSG). I pray that you will be willing to stand up for Christ against world opinion, so that He won't be ashamed of you when your life on this earth is over.

Signed by the Author

The conference I attended last week included a number of writers who were signing their books. I am always amazed how long people will stand in line for a book to be signed by the author.

Granted, these were not your ordinary book lovers—they all own or manage bookstores. I consider myself an “extreme” book lover, too. This is evidenced by the stacks of books in my house and the multiple books that I am reading at any one time.

Still, I had no desire to wait for as much as an hour to get an autograph. Just give me the book and let me go, thank you very much. Of course, my week was crammed with meetings, so I really didn’t have time to stand in line. And I tried really hard to avoid taking any books home with me, due to the new airline baggage fees. (I made an exception only for novels.)

Disclaimer: I have been known to queue up for certain authors in the past.

Why does having the author’s signature make a book seem more valuable? In the case of classics, it really does increase the value. Imagine what a signed copy of Huckleberry Finn would bring at Sotheby’s auction.

Do we treat ourselves with the same value? When we set out to perform a task, do we remember that the work we do is, in effect, a creation that is signed by the Author? Since God created us, He is making us into His handiwork. So whatever we do, or say, or how we act, reflects our Maker. And He always signs His work.

God, help me to remember that I am signed by the Author, and I am of great value.