Each morning as I drive to work, I see this small, white house on a corner nearly hidden from sight by an old boat on the side of the home and a pair of jalopies that skirt the front of the small yard. At 6:30 a.m. I can’t see much — other than those three eye sores and a small sign posted in the yard that reads Psychic. I have driven by that house twice a day for nearly a year, and I had never noticed that sign until today. I had obviously seen all the big things that littered the yard, but I hadn’t seen the sign. Is that a sign? I wonder if that’s a sign.
A year has passed since the first time I noticed the Psychic’s House. As I prepare to make a right turn each morning, I take a gander at that little house, hoping for a psychic sighting. So far, no psychic, no fortune teller, no soothsayer, no necromancer. Nearly every afternoon as I head home, the traffic light turns yellow just as I approach the intersection. I slow to a stop until it’s time to go again. I’m almost giddy at my good fortune when I get a chance to sit for a minute to survey the yard to see if anything else has changed. If I squint a little, I can see that there’s a phone number written in black permanent marker on the sign in the yard. It’s barely legible — the scrawl hasn’t fared well this winter.
I wonder how this works. Does one make an appointment? Call the number and say I need a Medium, a fortune, a medium-sized fortune? Perhaps prospective customers are as puzzled as I am since I never see any patrons’ cars in the yard other than the three eyesores that will see no more highways and no more bays. My guess is that they’ve seen better days, but have they seen patrons instead of passengers?
No one even steps out of the house onto the tiny, dilapidated porch while I sit at the light hoping to catch a glimpse of somebody, anybody coming out of the Psychic’s House. Ironically, the house sits on a dead end. Now that has to be a sign, though there isn’t one that I can see from the road. Once you go down that road, there is no easy way out. Turning back on that little dirt path might prove challenging as well.
Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God. ~Leviticus 19:31
For me, the signs are clear. Just keep it moving. Who needs to go to a creepy, little house to find out what’s next. Why hadn’t I noticed this place in a year? If it were important, I would have noticed it. Right? Instead, I only recall seeing the sign when I stopped moving to survey my surroundings, and it pays to be alert. I liken this house to a pothole — something that’s hard to miss sometimes, but if you’re not alert, you could hit one and incur damage — irreparable in some cases. Only God truly knows the plan he has for your life, and it’s one filled with prosperity and hope for your future (Jeremiah 29:11). Visiting fortune tellers is habit-forming, and it damages your relationship with God. Don’t be fooled. Palm readers and horoscopes are just as dangerous. When you turn to them for something God has not yet revealed to you, they become your God.
You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. ~Exodus 34:14
Instead of putting your trust in him alone, you trust someone whose yard is a mess and whose sign is handwritten and weathered with time. Surely that’s a sign! STOP sign! Those who are lost, cling to things that don’t last — like this sign and the message from the medium. When their predictable messages come to fruition, the lost souls wonder what’s next and wander there again–sometimes spending a fortune and losing much more– their souls. Depending on humans for your help is pointless. They can’t sustain you. Humans are fallible. So what happens next when this psychic can no longer read you? How many more psychics will you seek before you realize that the author and finisher of your life alone holds your future. He doesn’t need a sign to advertise his services, you can read about him in the bible, in song lyrics, and in movies. Seeking God isn’t a dead end; it’s a new beginning paved with fresh starts. No appointments are necessary; you can call on him any time you please — morning, noon, or night. If you ever consider making a bucket list, add Jesus to it. Seek him while he can still be found. Ask anybody about him. He’s a friend you can call on in times of trouble, and he sticks closer than a brother. He’s known by many monikers: Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Wonderful Counselor, and the Great I AM. Whatever you need, I AM can certainly supply it.
If you want to see your life unfold, seek first the kingdom of God. His favor is unmerited — it won’t cost you a fortune.
Yeah, it didn’t work out so well for King Saul at Endor either. (1 Samuel 28) When I see those signs in my town my heart goes out to people – on either side of the sign. Life’s hard, but having barely survived not trusting God, I can say it’s far better with Him in it. Good post, Michelle.
Spiritually seeking people will look every where for answers. It is why God calls in our words and actions to be available and role models. Thank you for your writing.
This piece made me think of all the people who went to see a psychic. It’ was very common in my country a couple of years ago. Out of curiosity, my friends and I went to one, some many years ago. They were very keen. I, on the other hand, was just there for support and be prepared if something strange might occur. When the psychic lady saw me, she told me frank that I don’t believe in what she does, without me saying anything. She was right. I would never go to someone to find out the future. I like to be surprised.
Thanks for sharing, Mesca. Where are you from? Here in the U.S. you can find them in lots of small towns.I have never visited one, but I know people who visit them religiously. It’s heart breaking.
I am from Romania and people believe in the power of psychics and witches of all sorts, despite being an Orthodox country. The government even set a tax for black magic. I might write a piece on the subject sometimes soon.
I would love to read that! Connect to my piece entitled That’s Foreign, and I’ll ask a few friends to do the same and connect to yours…could be fun!
I ‘ll do that! Thanks for the idea, Michelle :). It would be an awesome project. Will write a piece on my next week’s Mid-Week Music&Musing. 🙂
Cool, I’ll create a challenge! Should be fun!
I wait on the Lord and would rather not dally with such. No thank you! Great post.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words.
I definitely love this post! Thought-provoking.
Thanks so much!
I love this writing Michelle, but I do have to say sometimes signs and messages come in some pretty messy packages, or so I’ve learned.
Thanks so much! You’re right about the messes.
That’s why we have to trust God as believers and not man.” Be still and know that I am God ….”Psalm 46:10
Absolutely, Janice. Even horoscopes can take us down a slippery slope. Thanks for chiming in, Sis.