Proof Reading

VOX magazine finally goes to print this weekend after weeks of tweaking the design and the painful process of proof-reading.

I'm always amazed (and a little horrified) by the number of mistakes that slip through the cracks. Thankfully, we have a great team of proof readers - so if one person misses a mistake, another one is sure to pick it up.

I've been intrigued by the difference between proof readers. Some people always spot problems with punctuation (missing commas or rogue apostrophes). Others notice a typing error or grammatical mistake. Still others are concerned about design issues and images.

Those same people can be blind to the other mistakes. How can one person spot a missing comma but miss a misspelt word?

(I onced worked for a newspaper that ended up with a mistake in the banner headline on the front page!!)

Anyway, all this proof reading (nit picking?) has got me thinking. What would happen if I began proof reading my life? What mistakes or problems would I notice? What would I miss?

Would I ever dare asking anyone else to evaluate my life? The thought it pretty scary because the chances are they would spot something I missed.

How's this for an invitation from Psalm 139:23-24 (The Message)?

"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life."

RGW (aka The Editor)