Post-It Notes

I have a fetish for office supplies. Every time I am at Costco, I allow myself to walk through the aisle filled with gel pens, mechanical pencils, yellow legal pads, and neon post-it notes. I don’t buy any of it, because I have what I need at home. Yet, I secretly visit this area because it is titillating to be surrounded by these voluptuous cases of bulk paper and writing implements. Yes, I admit I have issues. My friends know about my problem, so they buy me office supplies as gifts. For my birthday this year, a friend gave me some post-it notes. I love post-it notes—I can write little reminders to myself; I can leave short memos for others; I can leave little notes of love; I can use them as bookmarks, as well as stick it on pages that I want to ponder later. I am picky about my sticky notes—I prefer ones that are bright, which makes them easy to spot, but not dark colors like purple, because then it is difficult to read the writing. I don’t like ones with pictures that take up writing space. Most of all, I prefer the ones that have a good adhesive backing so the note stays where I post it.

God often places people, books, songs, or situations in my life that act as post-it notes. These little signs remind me of forgotten truths, overlooked paths, unfinished commitments, and messages of love and grace.  

“I come in the power of the Lord God, I post signs marking his right-of-way.” (Psalm 71:16 MSG)

God can use each of us and our circumstances as post-it notes—reminders of his glory, grace, love, power, purpose, truth, and commitment. Yet, in order to be a good sticky note for God, there are some requirements: we must shine brightly enough that others take notice, but not so intensely that it is difficult for others to get the message. We must not be so full of our own image that there is very little room left for God to use. And, most of all, we must have tenacity, stickiness, and persistence to stay put where God has placed us.