What those 'You are loved signs' are all about

In the last week, "You are loved” signs have popped up along Sunshine Coast roads, and have become a a talking point and in some cases, a comfort to passers-by.

LOVING WORDS: "You are loved” signs have appeared along Sunshine Coast roadsides this Christmas. Picture: Janine Hill

THEY are the road signs that could well be saving lives on the Sunshine Coast this Christmas.

In the last week or so, "You are loved” signs have begun appearing along some of the Coast's busiest roads, and have become a curiosity, a talking point and in some cases, a comfort to passers-by.

Who is doing the loving is up to the motorists to decide, and while many might assume the suggestion is the Almighty, others are reminded of people near and far who might hold them dear.

The signs, which use a heart symbol with an apostrophe and the letter d to indicate "loved”, and sometimes, just the letters "u” and "r” for "you are”, do not carry the name of any person or organisation.

But for those who have so far missed the clue in bright pink lights on Wises Rd, Maroochydore, the Sunshine Coast Daily can reveal the signs are the work of the Lifepointe Baptist Church.

The three simple words are the theme of the church's annual Christmas event this year and are the work of Pastor Phil Greenbury and his daughter, Anna Golding.

Pastor Greenbury said that the idea of "You are loved” was to get a meaningful message out to people rather than just wish them a Merry Christmas and put on the traditional light display and Christmas show.

"Even though in life things go wrong and people feels unloved and devalued, they are loved and they are special,” he said.

But the signs, which were intended to entice people to the church's annual Christmas lights and show, have become as much of a hit as the actual event.

"We are absolutely gobsmacked at how much it does mean to people,” Pastor Greenbury said.

He said people had been taking "You are loved” flyers and cards from the church after visiting the lights and show and distributing them.

Pastor Greenbury's wife, Meryl, who hands out "You are loved” cards as people are leaving, is now down to only two colours in the cards.

"Someone came in to see one of our pastors and she must have had about 50 of them in her handbag and she wasn't even from our church,” Pastor Greenbury said.

Pastor Greenbury and Mrs Golding said people had come forward in person and on social media to say the signs had made them feel special, happy when they were having a bad day, and given people reason to be positive in hard times.

"The stories that we've heard have been amazing. We knew it would be meaningful to people but not as many people as that,” Mrs Golding said.

She said it was an important message to get out at this time of year, when many people could feel depressed and lonely.

"Hopefully, some of these people can see they are loved and it can uplift people,” she said.

Sheridan Richards is one of those people who have been touched by the signs, taking to Facebook to say thank you.

"You've made a difference, every time I see one, I smile and think of all the amazing people I have in my life. Thank you for my not so special days happier, and remind me and others that we are loved,” she wrote.

Pastor Greenbury has not ruled out a continuation of the "You are loved” message in some form after Christmas, perhaps on social media.