By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
I remember the early years of elementary school when students were forbidden to do schoolwork with anything but pencil. Unfortunately, with two older siblings generating homework assignments in pen, in my mind, the pencil was an outdated juvenile tool. (Or so I thought.) Compared to the free flowing script trailing from a ballpoint pen, the graphite pencil was restricting. How was I supposed to get any work done with all those trips to the pencil sharpener?
Rule follower that I am, I complied with the school’s standardized practices without fully understanding the reasons such guidelines had been set in place.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I began to appreciate the usefulness of a devise which allowed you to erase your mistakes. When I messed up, I didn’t have to crumble up my paper and begin again. At long last the pencil became my friend.
I’m reminded of something else that leaves enduring marks. Like ink from a pen, careless words cannot be easily erased.
God impressed this truth upon my heart after a gel pen brushed across my shirt while taking notes at a conference. Several washings later the ink is still visible. Likewise, careless words leave lasting impressions.
Verbal judgements expressed decades ago still tender my heart. And it’s not just the thoughtless comments coming from others. My own tongue has inflicted injury too.
Just today I said something I wished I could take back. The moment the words left my mouth I wanted to recant them. Unfortunately, once the words spilled from my lips, the damage had already been done. The Holy Spirit immediately quickened my heart with remorse, and I apologized.
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Yes, we will make mistakes, and yes, some of our offenses will leave lasting impressions like permanent ink. But thankfully, Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, after we have repented, removes our transgression like a pencil eraser, wiping our sin slate clean.
