Proverbs 12:15 The
way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
I enrolled in a writing course in college that was held at an offsite classroom. The class was filled with kids just out of high school, who apparently had never written a coherent paper in their short life. When it came time to correct and critique papers, I was faced with the impossible task of proofreading a paper that did not contain one complete sentence or thought, without embarrassing the writer. The person proofing my paper simply handed it back and said, “good writing.” But was it? I received an “A” in the class but was never sure if it was deserved or if the teacher was just happy to be able to read a clear paper.
It is equally important that you be prepared to listen to
constructive criticism. I know the
writing is a “piece of you,” that you want to protect and nurture but you have
asked for wise counsel because you want this writing to be the best ever. Be prepared to correct the spelling and
grammar mistakes. You may even have to
rewrite portions because although it makes perfect sense to you, your reader
may not have a clue as to what you are trying to convey. Go ahead, shed your tears, soothe your
wounds, then get busy and rewrite. It is
a risk to involve someone else’s thoughts in “your baby’s life” but your
writing will be better and you will have learned a lot during the process.
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
The Writing of your Life continues and a new chapter is begun the minute you get out of bed. Sometimes we “write” without ever taking the time before we close our eyes to read over the day’s installment. We keep it close, stroke and protect the story of our life, setting it on the shelf, safe between its lovely covers, to be admired; but not too closely. I would say that most of us never open its contents and invite another person to proofread and critique the “story of our life.”
There are many voices that swirl around us daily in a cacophony
of noise. Many of those voices are only
too happy to speak into our lives. BE
CAREFUL!!! It is a good idea to
proofread their life before you allow them to proofread your “life story.” Are they are proficient in the “language?” Is their life sealed tightly against any criticism
or wise counsel? You will never become
an expert proofreader of someone else’s life until you open your own life to
proofreading.
It is important that we all seek Wise Counsel; a “Proofreader”
in our lives. Choose prayerfully and
wisely THEN listen, accept the critique and make the corrections. You will grow, your story will be improved
and your “readers” will thank you.
