Sign, sign, everywhere a sign!

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December 9, 2009

Dwain Walden The Moultrie Observer Wed Dec 09, 2009, 10:57 PM EST

Once again, a holy sign is perceived on an earthly form. With all due respect while wearing rubber-soled shoes, I will call it “Holy Cow!”

Farmer Brad Davis in Sterling, Conn., reported that a calf has the marking of a cross on its forehead. He thinks it’s a “sign from above.”

It’s not uncommon for people to see “from-above signs” on various things. Remember the image of The Virgin Mary that a man perceived on a piece of half-eaten toast? He sold it for thousands of dollars on the internet.

I’ve read or heard of several other obscure visions or sightings recently and I’m wondering if they parallel the downturn in the economy. What I mean is, in tough times we may look harder for signs while seeking some comfort.

Now I’m not going to say what this man sees on his calf should not be perceived as a “sign from above.” If he wants to believe that and if other people want to believe that, then it’s their right. There are some folks who would look at the calf, sign or no sign, and say that the calf alone is a sign from above. It represents the miracle of life. Perhaps we should look at the entire plant and animal spectrum in this vein.

Yet I don’t know just how deep our philosophies will wax when we throw fire ants and mosquitoes into that mix. Maybe we just conclude that God has a sense of humor. Or maybe we realize there is no statute of limitations on that forbidden fruit thing.

I have never seen one of these markings on anything that I specifically thought was a sign “from above.” Now it could be that one was there, and I just didn’t stare at it long enough. That’s not to say that I haven’t seen shapes that reminded me of something or someone, just not a sign from God.

For instance, there is a rest room I have visited on more than one occasion where a portion of the plaster is peeling on the wall. And I can see the likeness there of Yasser Arafat.

I’ve often seen shapes in clouds and tree trunks that appeared rather artistic. I just didn’t get a message. In other words, just because Arafat is right there above the urinal does not suggest that I should respond with any obtuse political expression. Nor that I should start wearing a towel on my head to commemorate the long-suffering of Mideastern people.

So now will people come out to see this calf? Will it be auctioned on the internet? Will it inspire other people to start looking for “signs.” Will it be kept for broodstock? Will it become a mascot or featured in “Eat More Chicken” commercials? Will its milk sell for a premium price? Will it become “blessed hamburger”?

While we are talking about “signs from above,” I often have questions about my religion. And they are not all deep questions — just stuff that will pop into my head. Lots of people probably have them but fear being sacrilegious to ask them. Personally, I think God wants us to wonder about stuff. And so one night while I was admiring the beauty of a full moon, I wondered why Jesus didn’t just tell the people back then that the world was round. But with time probably being irrelevant to God, He may have thought that waiting another 1500 years or so on this issue was no big deal.

Anyway, my stomach is growling. I take that as a sign.

(E-mail: dwain.walden@gaflnews.com)

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