On Faith and Family: If my life was a typewriter
Words.
They can be beautiful, ugly, meaningful, jabbing, helpful, harmful, truth-filled, or even deceptive. I love words. They paint our stories, express what we feel and think, and hold a place for all who have gone before us and dared to share what they have to say, marking their spot in this world long after they are gone.
My husband knows I love words. For my birthday last year, he got me a WWII typewriter with worn keys that tap like the rain. When I look at it, I can’t help but wonder who had it before me. Was it used for official business or to write love letters to a fiancé off at war? Was it used to type life-giving words that filled people with hope or words that would change the course of someone’s life forever? Not knowing is what makes me love that old typewriter. It’s what gives me a sense of connection with whoever used it before me. It’s what makes me reflect on my words; the ones I’ve used to sever friendships and say unhelpful things to my husband and children.
If my life were a typewriter, recording every letter used to form my thoughts and responses, I should wish to throw most of it in the wastebasket and start with a fresh page. I’m sure all of us would.
This caused me to think about the amazing God I serve; who is everything that I am not.
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This blows my mind. The word that this verse is talking about? It’s God Himself! He is the perfect word! A typewriter in the flesh, tapping out perfection, never deceiving, never misleading, always life-giving to the one who truly hears, cutting oftentimes, yet healing the soul and sharing the word of eternal life. Himself!
Psalm 19: 1-11
The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is like a groom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices like a strong person to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, your servant is warned by them; in keeping them there is great reward.
My words will never be perfect. That’s why I’m so thankful that Christ did what I could never do for myself; He became flesh, encompassing the perfect Word that He is and is willing to save and heal any who embrace the life-giving words that flow from His lips.
