Lately I’ve been trying to come up with the perfect message. 

No, I’m not referring to preaching a perfect sermon. That’s not what I’m talking about. 

I do remember when Dave Stieb, a long time pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, wrote a book. He titled it “Tomorrow I’ll Be Perfect”. The pour guy could have had several perfect games if his defence behind him could have helped out a bit. 

I’m also not referring to being perfect at what I do. 

We have a sign board in our home. It’s the kind that you put letters on and create a message for others to read. It’s not permanent; I can change it any time I want. 

Sometimes the message reflects the time of year, and sometimes it announces a special event or occasion. 

Last year we had a message up there for a long time. It was a countdown to my daughter’s wedding day. That one took work. I had to change the numbers on it every day. 

Every time I change the sign, I’m looking for the perfect message to put on it. I want it to be witty or funny or profound – something that will cause people to think.

It’s not easy, and maybe that’s why I don’t change it very often. When I get a good message, I like to milk it for a while. 

But I need to change it now. I have a son who’s turning 30 and a nephew who’s going overseas for 4 years. It really needs to be the right mix of letters.

I wish my dad was around to help me. He was the king of messages. 

When I was in college out west, he would write me often. For a while I received cards in the mail from him on a weekly basis. 

They weren’t greeting cards. They were just card stock paper he cut to size (about 5”x4”). He would address them on one side and write his message on the other. 

From his readings he would write out an inspirational message to me. It was usually some saying to motivate me.

I looked forward to those cards, and I always wondered how many other people benefitted from reading them, before they passed them on in the sorting line.

We see messages everywhere these days – probably more than ever before. 

Every store or building you enter has a message, usually COVID related. Some stores ask you to pause and read their messages … even though after a year of COVID I think we know them off by heart. 

This morning I’m looking for the perfect message. And I know there’s one for this time and this family. 

I just need to dig deep and come up with something that will speak to the moment and inspire those who read it. 

Here’s the thing: God has given us the greatest message of all time. That message culminates in our celebration of Easter in a couple of weeks. The message is inspirational and personal. It’s the message of the gospel that God loves you and made provision by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for you, so that you could experience God’s love. Be sure to consider this message this year as we turn our attention to Christ’s great sacrifice on the cross. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What would be the message you want your family to read right now? Leave your comments and questions below. 

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