CHOOSE A PROOFREADER FOR YOUR LIFE

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

When writing a paper, an article or a book, it is very important that you give it to someone else to proofread, edit and critique.  As the author, you are too close to the writing to proof with a clear mind.  You will read things in that are not there because the context and meaning are in your head.  It is equally important that your proofreader be proficient in the language, reading, spelling, grammar, and contextual critique. 

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.