I have the (un)fortunate ability to “see stuff,” whether it’s a typo in an article, a misprint in a newspaper headline (“Here ye! Here ye!”), or a church that left one of its major hallway’s lights off one Sunday. When I see something, I sometimes point it out to someone who can do something about it in the hopes that improvement will occur. When I characterized this propensity as a curse, one pastor told me, “Do NOT refer to God’s gift as a curse!”

A blogger I read regularly often writes powerful articles on weighty ideas, but sometimes major or minor typos slip in. I had taken to dropping him personal notes, and he would correct the online versions. Once when there were no typos, I felt compelled to write and tell him so since I had been in regular contact. He responded, “A miracle!”

Finally, he started submitting his work in advance. (I had wondered how long that would take.) I usually just point out specific errors or sentences that can be improved, but one time in addition to several major, specific suggestions, I wrote:

Here’s my first cut. I think it’s a necessary message, but the article needs a bit of work. The piece doesn’t feel “tight,” and there’s a lot of repetition. I don’t quite know the fix.

I didn’t know how my comments would be received, but he responded:

Thank you, Bob. Gonna rewrite, improve it. Big thanks.

And he did. The final version was stronger, tighter, and more accurate. This man is not only a powerful and pioneering Christian leader, he’s teachable. You don’t find that very often.

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. (Proverbs 15.31 – 32, ESV)

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. (Proverbs 27.5 – 7, ESV)

P.S. I know, I know, I’ll bet every one of you readers has found errors in my work from time to time. And some of you have pointed them out. When that happens, I, too, correct the online version. That said, daily blogs will never be as polished as occasional blogs. “The perfect is sometimes the enemy of the good.”