Bumper Stickers

The other day, while driving to an appointment, I was at one of those traffic lights that take forever to change. So I had plenty of time to examine the back of the car in front of me and right away had a strong feeling that the occupant of that vehicle loved the university from which he/she had graduated.

From a large sticker on the back window, to a silver emblem on the trunk, to the license plate cover, to the bumper stickers (yes, plural- at least three) - this person left no doubt in ones mind about not only where he/she had graduated but that the university was part of his/her identity.

The type of car we choose often indicates what type of person we are, but the personalization of that car shows what one considers important in our lives. So important that one feels compelled to make a statement about it to the whole wide world (or at least to the cars that share the roads with you).

Political stickers, rude stickers, happy stickers, angry stickers, religious stickers, “I love my dog/my cat/my car/golf/cycling” stickers, “my kid is an honor student” stickers, baseball stickers, soccer stickers, football stickers. There are bumper stickers for everyone.

So if you are a British golfer, who likes to sail, owns a german shepherd and votes republican- you can let everyone who looks at your car know.

I have pet fish, but don’t feel compelled to tell the world that I love them.
I like to paint, but I don’t feel like it is an important part of my identity.
I think my kid is smart, but when he graduates from university at the age of 12, I won’t feel compelled to proclaim that on the back of my car (but that might change, as he is only 7 months old right now).

As I was sitting at that traffic light for what I was sure was almost half and hour (it has a vindictive sense of humor and always knows when I am running late), I thought about what I have on the back of my car.

I have a sticker that says “Christ is coming to reign on the earth, are you ready?” and one of those diamond shaped signs that say “Baby on board!”
They both serve as a reminder to be careful about my driving. The first one because it reminds me that I am a witness to my faith and the second because I have precious cargo on board.

But now following this train of thought about bumper stickers showing what I find important about my identity, I thought it was very revealing. Yes, my faith and my family are the two most important things in my life.

This thought suddenly put my life back into focus.

If my faith and my family are the two most important things in my life, do my thoughts, actions and decisions reflect that? In amongst the hussle and bussle of life other things had been crowding in.

Glancing at the rear-view mirror I could see a little chubby face staring back at me.

Thank you God for reminding me.

The light turned green and I started to drive, but now it wasn’t only my car that reflected what is important to me.

It changed my whole attitude that day.