BUMPER STICKERS
Bumper stickers are still popular, have been since I was a kid. Not sure why someone would want to deface their possession, pride and joy, or plain ole transportation. Then again, I shouldn’t be too judgmental, I once drew on my white, short-haired hound dog, but that was a long time ago… plus he didn’t have bumpers.
Some bumper stickers are meant to be funny, others are intended to inspire, support, and encourage. While I don’t participate in pasting stickers on my truck’s bumper, that doesn’t mean I don’t read the ones on other people’s.
I have to admit, I find reading bumper stickers fairly amusing, most of the time. A few clever ones I’ve read; “I bet Jesus would have used His turn signals”. Or how ’bout, “Sometimes I wrestle with my demons – sometimes we just snuggle”.One of my favorite classic bumper stickers, I think from the seventies; “Guns cause crime like flies cause garbage.” I also didn’t mind the old yellow circle with the simple smile and the “Have A Nice Day” below it.
Then of course, due to our freedom of speech and bumper stickers, are the other ones, the obnoxious ones. Not so much the silly rainbows or the names of the person’s favorite band, but the rude ones, the vulgar and profanity-laced ones that get under my skin.
I figure that they’re young people, which is almost always synonymous with lacking wisdom; was for me too, still is sometimes.
Of all the bumper stickers that I dislike, there is one type that strikes a chord deep inside, and that pitch brings the blood inside my fallen flesh to a boil. Those stickers are the ones of political persuasion. When I spot certain ones, even though I know these people exist, I double take and strain to see what they look like, almost as if their hair was on fire.
First glance at the bumper sticker and my instinct holds them responsible for tearing down the great American way of life… by removing and mocking God. In that instant, I’ve fallen into the same trap as the bumper sticker brandishing bourgeois; controlled by emotion as opposed to the fearless faith in God Almighty.
The thing about bumper stickers is that each and every one of them reflect and reveal the folk’s perspective on life. People want to tell others, strangers, who they are and what they believe. Some Christians do it with the fish or church stickers.
We all believe in something. We put our faith in what we hope or believe will save us.
After I rein in my emotions, my perspective changes. Those political bumper stickers represent people who trust and believe in other humans for their security… Even after having been lied to by every single one of the people they put their faith in. They, their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents have believed the same lies.
That is the mark of desperation, insanity, and not knowing God…
Maybe I should put that on a bumper sticker.
Brad
Sunday, May 22, 2016 @ 8:41 am
Amen brother! Very well said. I couldn’t agree more
Thx Brad
Hazel Moon
Sunday, May 22, 2016 @ 10:14 pm
Many years ago, I put a bumper sticker on our station wagon, and then Robert sold the wagon to a neighbor. They left the sticker there saying, “Christians aren’t perfect, but they are forgiven.” Oh yes, Robert gave me instructions – “No more bumper stickers.” These days, I too see political stickers, and I agree, I do a double take to see the people and if their hair is on fire. We have some interesting days and months ahead as we tread water to see who floats and who drowns. Loved your post and thanks for sharing at Tell me a True Story. http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Pam
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 4:18 am
What really bothers me about bumper stickers is that they aren’t one-of-a-kind. In order for the company to print them, there had to be enough people who actually think or feel what is expressed on the sticker to buy them! While that is great in light of what some funny or positive stickers say, it’s appalling to realize that about the negative and offensive ones.
Barb Raveling
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 6:18 am
I’m not a bumper sticker person myself but I enjoy reading them when they’re funny or nice. If I’m at a long traffic light, best case scenario is to be behind a car plastered with them. 🙂
Betty Jo
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 8:44 am
I’m amazed, sometimes shocked, and often disturbed by bumper stickers; just like I am with what people write on Facebook. Awesome post, Floyd. Now, I won’t ever see another bumper sticker without thinking of you!!
Betty Draper
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 9:31 am
When I first got saved I wanted to bumper sticker not only my car but everything else I owned. Little did I know they sometimes offend and even make others angry. I think our life should be our bumper sticker and it should read, grace, grace, grace…in hopes others would ask, what is this thing called grace you talk about.
Dolly@Soulstops
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 10:23 am
Floyd,
I think you had a great insight about how when you reined in your emotions, your perspective changed…that is a work of the Holy Spirit in you…and the same for me whenever God gives me grace to change my perspective to His…many blessings to you, my friend 🙂
Lisa notes
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 10:47 am
The Floyd Series…you should come up with your own brand of bumper stickers. 🙂 They would be top sellers, I’m certain! When I see outlandish bumper sticks, I always strain my neck to see the person inside the car too. Sometimes my stereotypes are confirmed, other times they surprise me.
Sharon
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 11:47 am
I like Lisa’s comment – The Floyd Series! How about this for the first one? “This bumper sticker is ruining my paint job.”
I also like reading bumper stickers – most of the time. I don’t like the political ones, or the mean-spirited ones. I also don’t like the ones that imply that someone’s kid is better than someone else’s kid – this one is especially horrible “My kid beat up your honor student.” Really???
I also think it’s fun trying to decipher license plates. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it requires some work. If I had a personalized plate, maybe I’d go for this: I M CRZY.
I agree with not applying them to my own car, though. I had a couple on my window for a while, but they faded and shriveled. They were just from a town I liked, and my sons’ college (go, UCLA). Now I’m driving *clean*.
Floyd, your comments about how we sometimes instantly judge or stereotype is spot on. I’m guilty of that, too. And then, it takes the Holy Spirit to point out the truth that when I do that, I’m most likely looking at another person’s *speck* through the *log* in my own.
GOD BLESS!
June
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
I have to agree with everything you’ve said, brother. I’m not a bumper sticker person either, and some of the attitudes they express . . . well, let’s just say I stay clear. Sadly, I’ve witnessed not so Christian behavior from people in vehicles displaying Christian stickers. I suppose it’s possible that the stickers were there when they bought the car, or not. Either way, it reminds me that whether I display a sticker or not, I represent Someone, The Some One and my actions should reflect that. On a lighter note, a friend of ours gave my mom a sticker when she moved here. It says, “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!” Blessings 🙂
Nannette
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 @ 4:46 am
I’m not a fan of them either but I do read them because they are right in front of me 🙂 Love your perspective and agree with the others that you should start your own line. My takeaway today was that I am thankful for the wisdom the gray hair brings. Not always happy with the days of my youth! Blessings!
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 @ 8:18 am
As usual, it’s good to see what you’re writing and how it’s being spread around. Thank you much, Bro!! Bless you MUCH!!… Love you MUCH!!
SimplyDarlene
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 @ 9:37 am
Indeed!
Perhaps the funniest one I’ve ever read said, “If you’re close enough to read this, I could flick a booger on you.” Well, since I was behind that rig at a stoplight, I hoped I wouldn’t get flicked.
saleslady371
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 @ 3:46 pm
Yes, your ending would be a great bumper sticker! I don’t like the political ones either and always shy away from advertising my political preferences on my car because I always think I may meet up with a driver who disagrees and that might make him angry, unlike you who can control your emotions. Then I would be too vulnerable and he might hit me. I like the one on the family mini van, “I used to be cool.”
Ed
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 @ 5:06 pm
Yes, I am not a fan of bumper stickers, especially on cars that draw your attention because the owners are bad drivers in themselves. Thankfully since people are now driving their brand new looking cars/trucks I rarely notice them. You just don’t realize that there are many political crazed people out there with a vengeance sometimes…
Jennifer Dougan
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 @ 1:37 pm
Hi Floyd,
Bumper stickers can be fun to read. I always grin when I creep closer to reach a small-to-read bumper sticker only to discover it’s the “If you can read this, you’re too close.” That seems like entrapment, I think. 🙂
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Cheryl
Thursday, May 26, 2016 @ 4:07 am
I could not agree with you more, brother. I have the same reaction, and it never ceases to amaze me that people are still putting their trust in creatures instead of the Creator. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to make my way here….oh, I am so frustrated. It looks like my computer is blocking all blog posts from being delivered again. I didn’t even realize you had posted and was concerned that something may be wrong. Turns out, you have been posting all along, and I just wasn’t receiving them. At any rate, I sure enjoyed reading this, as always, and I leave here encouraged. God bless you abundantly.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, May 26, 2016 @ 7:30 am
It’s definitely hard many times to separate the emotion of the moment from what’s in front of you and choose faith. It’s so true. People believe all sorts of things. Everyone wants salvation, but we obviously don’t agree on where to find it. Let it drive us to our knees and let that faith in Him grow stronger. Good stuff, Floyd. Thank you.
Micah
Thursday, May 26, 2016 @ 11:28 am
I think that would make a very good bumper sticker!!
‘I double take and strain to see what they look like, almost as if their hair was on fire.’ – Made me chuckle. I can so relate. But I’m still in shock you drew on your dog!!