SPURGEON’S CORNER — “When it’s dark, look for stars,” the sign in Rebecca Smith’s yard read.

Her signs of short, inspirational messages are spreading their own light to passing drivers and her neighbors.

“It was my corny little way of still connecting to any little passerby,” said Smith, who lives on State Road 135 South near the Brown-Jackson county line.

Smith started making the signs out of found materials in her home and garage about three weeks ago. She and her family decided to self-isolate from COVID-19 after one last trip to the Dollar General on March 14. A couple days later, this “crafty” person who’s used to making posters for her women’s group and yard signs for holidays had an idea.

She raided her garage and garden shed for supplies. Clear plastic became her canvas and acrylic paint her medium.

She hung her first sign out by the road around March 16: “Storms don’t last forever.”

Other messages have included “Life is tough, but so are you,” and “Stay grateful.”

They only last about three or four days before the paint starts wearing off, since it’s acrylic, Smith said. When a sign starts looking worn, she makes a new one.

During recent high winds, she took the sign down so she wouldn’t have to chase it. A neighbor called her to ask why she stopped, and to tell her how much she was enjoying and appreciating the messages.

Passing drivers are also giving her honks of approval.

This is a new way of creating for Smith, who’s used to being meticulous about what she makes. “I’m slapping paint on, doing this in a few hours literally on my kitchen table, and that’s really hard for me,” she said.

The message, though, is the important part.

“Sometimes, I’m just too optimistic for my own good,” Smith said, “but I just refuse to lay down, and it’s like, you’ve got to keep reaching out and stay connected and show love and show light. You just have to.”