Saturday evening I signed a book for a contest winner. Afterward I looked at my name. It was only one step above chicken scratching. How I have wished I could sign my name with a large "B" in Bob that was perfectly formed and every letter in "Steinkamp" legible. In years past, I have even practiced my signature and have done pretty well, but the next time I signed something, it looked like the chickens had come back.
We have some old elementary school papers with "Bobby Steinkamp" scribbled on them. About junior high, the signature became "Bob Steinkamp." Once I was out of school, my signature went to "Robert E. Steinkamp."
I thought about the tens of thousands of places my signature appeared. As a funeral director, I signed thousands of death certificates. I have signed credit card slips and checks without even thinking how my name would look.
Two marriage license have been signed with Charlyne. Both times I was nervous about what I was doing. In between, a property settlement agreement was signed, where I as a prodigal was basically giving our children and our home to Charlyne. I was so unglued that signature does not even look like my usual poor signature. Even then I knew our divorce was wrong. It is very difficult to sign a name when God is gently twisting an arm.
I have signed letters and documents that gave me great joy. I have signed other things that brought me sadness. Regardless of the circumstances, my signature always appeared to be rushed and, well, it looks sloppy.
A few weeks I ago I was helping Kyle, one of our third grade twin grandchildren, with a school project. After the words were written and the photos glued on, Kyle proudly scribbled his name. It looked like a third generation "Bobby Steinkamp" signature. When I asked Kyle if he could have signed his report with better handwriting, Kyle replied, "That's me, Grandpa."
The title of a song heard on Stop Divorce Radio declares a great promise of hope about our God; "He Knows My Name." Our Lord God does not need to be able to read my signature to know me. He even knows the number of (thinning) hairs on my head. He knew all about me before I was even born. He knows how long I will be on this earth.
Jeremiah 29:11-12 is my favorite verse that affirms God knows me:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Most likely you are on this web site because of your burden from someone you love. It may be a prodigal spouse or prodigal child. Regardless of the relationship, please remember that God knows all about that person. God's heart is being broken over what they are doing, just as is happening to you.
Regardless of what your loved one is placing their signature on today, God has a way of escape. It may be a divorce decree, a (non-covenant) marriage license, the birth certificate of a child with the other person, an apartment lease with someone else, checks to take away your money, letters of hate addressed to you, or scores of other documents.
God may not change how a signature appears, but He sure can change what appears above that signature. The first step is a changed heart. Will you keep praying for your prodigal until that happens?
Think I'll go practice signing my name.
