Vanity Plates
Teresa and I enjoyed a vacation at historic Williamsburg, Virginia, recently. I am not the most astute observer in the world, but it became apparent very quickly in our daily drives that vanity plates seem to be "in" in that commonwealth. I saw more vanity license plates on cars in one week there than in a year in middle Tennessee.
I wasn't surprised, therefore, when the newspaper mentioned last week that Virginia has more vanity plates than any other state in the union. Of the 9.3 million vanity plate owners in the United States, 1 out of 10 is a Virginian. According to the Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, 16% of the drivers in Virginia have vanity plates. At the other end of the spectrum is Texas, where less than 1% of registered vehicles are "vanitized." I guess when your state is that big, you don't have to brag.
Before you and I start to think of Virginians as our country's egomaniacs, I should point out that such plates only cost $10 extra there. My vote for the Carly Simon "you're so vain" award would go to those 1.3 million folks (most actual number for a state) from Illinois who purchased vanity plates at $78 per pop. Now, that is paying a price to make a statement!
Although I am too tight (I would like to think unvain, but...) to purchase vanity plates, I confess that I enjoy them nonetheless. Like the urology specialist back in my home territory of Appalachia whose car was tagged I HLP U P. Without saying too much, "Doc, I get it--and I've got it." Speaking of Kentucky, we have worn out the
I AM 4 UK plate, but how about I H8 UT after last Saturday's 4-overtime lost in football to the Volunteers?
No doubt, my favorite vanity plate is the one that our daughter Megan pointed out to me on our trip home from Louisville over Thanksgiving. I had seen it on another car in another state once before, but it still touches my heart as a believer. It reads simply 4GVN. How amazing the grace of our loving Lord!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
It Is Autumn and I Can See
Donald M. McKinney tells the story of being in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947 and walking down Prince's Street on a beautiful spring day. The birds were singing, the trees were budding, the flowers in the garden-like setting were brilliant with their multi-colored hues.
Walking toward him in the distance was a man with a white cane, prodding his way down the street. He held a tin cup in one hand and McKinney noted something unusual. Everyone who passed him made a point to stop and drop money into his container--everyone! Some even went out of their way to intercept the man and add to his receipts.
As McKinney drew closer, he noted the reason the man was receiving such a positive response. He was wearing a placard that rested on his chest and read, "It is spring and I am blind."
The sightless man's message caused all of his audience to reflect upon their own blessings and to respond with compassionate charity.
How often we take for granted the blessings in life that God has given us! How seldom we stop to give Him thanks for eyes that see, ears that hears, and a world that He has so gloriously made for our pleasure.
No, it is not spring. It is Thanksgiving week, in fact, and God's autumn display in the trees of the middle Tennessee hills has reached its zenith. The brilliant reds and golds and oranges are balanced by the muted tones of browns and tans. It is a picture no artist could paint and one that dances on the eye of the mind of the thoughtful and thankful viewer.
No, it is not spring, but it is autumn, and I can see. Thank you, my Father, for a beautiful world and eyes with which to behold it!
Donald M. McKinney tells the story of being in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947 and walking down Prince's Street on a beautiful spring day. The birds were singing, the trees were budding, the flowers in the garden-like setting were brilliant with their multi-colored hues.
Walking toward him in the distance was a man with a white cane, prodding his way down the street. He held a tin cup in one hand and McKinney noted something unusual. Everyone who passed him made a point to stop and drop money into his container--everyone! Some even went out of their way to intercept the man and add to his receipts.
As McKinney drew closer, he noted the reason the man was receiving such a positive response. He was wearing a placard that rested on his chest and read, "It is spring and I am blind."
The sightless man's message caused all of his audience to reflect upon their own blessings and to respond with compassionate charity.
How often we take for granted the blessings in life that God has given us! How seldom we stop to give Him thanks for eyes that see, ears that hears, and a world that He has so gloriously made for our pleasure.
No, it is not spring. It is Thanksgiving week, in fact, and God's autumn display in the trees of the middle Tennessee hills has reached its zenith. The brilliant reds and golds and oranges are balanced by the muted tones of browns and tans. It is a picture no artist could paint and one that dances on the eye of the mind of the thoughtful and thankful viewer.
No, it is not spring, but it is autumn, and I can see. Thank you, my Father, for a beautiful world and eyes with which to behold it!
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