B is for BEST

our home sits across the street from a city park. it's surrounded by a black iron gate. right at the entrance to our community, at the corner of the park, used to sit a quaint little sign that said CITY OF OAK RIDGE NORTH. it was surrounded by beautiful landscaping and it made me smile when i would drive by. it symbolized a hometown feel and i LOVED it.

one day, much to my dismay, they tore it down. GONE. just an empty space where it had been. this did not please me. my friend jana and i actually discussed writing letters of protest. lol.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

why on EARTH would they tear it down?

there was nothing WRONG with it.

it was charming.

it was welcoming.

it represented something.

and it was GONE.

eventually i got over it :) there has been an empty space at that corner for about two years now.

that is, up until just a few weeks ago... the city is in the process of installing a new, high tech sign. it not only welcomes you to the community, but it tells you upcoming events and it even displays the weather. they aren't finished yet. it's not near as inviting to me. the other one was just so cute. but i'll give it a chance. it definitely needs some landscaping once they finish the wiring and stone work.


you may wonder what this has to do with ANYTHING :) but something clicked that day, as i drove past & a crane was lowering the new sign into position.

before the old sign was torn out, there was already a plan in place for something new. something fresh. something that had new dimension...new facets...

the old sign wasn't just torn down. it was taken down to make room for the NEW sign. where we just saw an empty space, those who KNEW the plan saw the site of something BETTER.

may this be true as we move forward on our journey. may we learn the difference between GOOD, BETTER & BEST.



may we not be willing to be content with good. may we strive, instead, for best...not in terms of 'stuff.' i'm not talking a whole 'live your best life now' theology. i believe my best life ISN'T now. it isn't HERE. look at the life of Jesus...there was suffering. it's part of the package. i'm talking about wanting the best of HIS plans for me...for US...whatever that means, whatever that looks like.


but may we also remember that BEST typically comes with a higher price tag. it does not come without sacrifice.


help me, Lord, to be open to change. i trust that your plans are for my benefit...for the benefit of my entire family. may i live each day, trusting that you DO know BEST.

xoxo.