Some people pay big dollars for preference plates for their cars in order to advertise their business or to express their personalities. When my husband Tom worked as a sales rep for “Sexauer Plumbing Supplies”, his company paid for his preference plate. They thought “SEXAUER” on Tom’s license plate was great advertising. Tom thought it was a delightful pun. When Tom and I were first dating, my adult children looked at that license plate and asked, “who is this guy who has latched onto our mother?”

My license plate of many years is “BBLY 888”. For many people of Chinese origin the number 8 is considered very lucky. If I could sell my license plate to the highest bidder, I’m told it might go for $1000 or more. The government doesn’t allow us to sell our license plates, and that’s a good thing, because I might be tempted.

You see, I enjoy my license plate. First of all, it’s easy to remember. That helps. Second, the “bbly” feels good. It reminds me to relax and let my bubbly self be free to love life, because I do. I want the world to know that a life of faith brings joy and peace. I’m not superstitious,  but having the Chinese lucky 8 repeated three times brings to my mind the extravagance of God’s love that surrounds me. In my down times, God has blessed me with compassionate people who have cared for me and supported me. There has been, is and will always be so much to celebrate in my life. Yes, my license plate is superb advertising.

This morning my special license plate reminded me of the last line of a camp song,

“I’ll shout it from the mountaintop, I want my world to know the Lord of Love has come to me. I want to pass it on!”  (It Only Takes a Spark by Kurt Kaiser 1969)