that yarn autocorrect
I don't know how you feel about technology, but I'm a complete mixed bag. I am not a fan of AI... but I love modern GPS. I'm not a fan of social media, but I also love being connected to people far away in ways only social media allows. I don't like how accessible I am, but I love how accessible I am. UGH.
I don't mind a good old fashioned phone call, as long as it isn't from a telemarketer or someone asking about my car insurance policy. I also love the convenience of text messages. It's proven so helpful with quick messages, reminders and check-ins. What I really REALLY don't love: autocorrect. For as smart as AI is, you'd think it would also read along for context because "yarn" is NOT an acceptable replacement for "darn". C'mon....
Hear me out- sometimes it's great when "poeple" gets autocorrected to "people", or "somehwere" to "somewhere". "Darn" to "yarn"... But my kids' names are FOREVER BEING AUTOCORRECTED to other things.... to the point I went to settings and had a text replacement set up to RE-autocorrect the autocorrect.. The struggle is real... I should have stuck with something more generic I guess.
Well, among all the times my phone is autocorrecting my typing, one time stood out so much it stopped me in my tracks.
I was talking to a friend about something we were going through, and was in the process of telling them that the enemy is coming after them in their own voice, and to not listen. Well, as I live and breathe, autocorrect struck again- and when I say struck I mean struck like a vicious lightning bolt hitting a field of tall, dry grass.
As I was typing "enemy", it autocorrected to "Emily".
Maybe it's because of the topic we were discussing, but WOW did that resonate.
I've shared that I've been under attack, and how the enemy used my own voice to make me think those awful things were my thoughts; my ideas.
But something about seeing MY NAME swapped out to take the place of ENEMY... in an instant.... it just had my mind reeling.
I already see things in pictures- like a movie playing out in front of my eyes- but at x1000 speed. While it happens quickly, I still remember every frame as if it were being played in slow motion.
I thought back on my life prior to giving my life to Jesus... about how many times I had been depressed, down-and-out, etc. Every season I experienced was so full of evil and darkness; horrible thoughts about myself. I always figured it was the depression talking, or I was just saying the quiet truths out loud. For a very long time, I had associated myself with being the enemy of my own life. I had convinced myself it was me, I was the mastermind behind all the dark, isolating thoughts. I mean, yes- it was me, but it wasn't "me" creating those thoughts or ideas.
All of that evil and darkness was the enemy-using my voice.
In a women's Bible study I was attending, I heard her say that the enemy will use OUR VOICES to tell us the lies he wants us to believe.
"You'll never be able to do that..."
"Who do you think you are?"
"You can't have a life like _____."
"You aren't deserving/worthy of that."
I could go on for hours, but I think you get my drift.
I know now it was the enemy because if it ain't good, it ain't God. Took a while, and by the grace of God I never acted on those awful thoughts and ideas I had during those times. Spiritual warfare is a very real thing... but if you're in denial or unaware- it's real easy to chalk it up to bad luck, dark times, falling on hard times, or whatever you want to call it. When I did finally figure it out though, and knew what (and who) it was I was up against- things changed. I suddenly didn't feel like I was scrambling in the dark to fight something that was out to get me... I could put a name and an image to it- albeit a scary one, I was able to pinpoint it.
So when I was typing out a sentence about that awful, nasty, lying enemy who is satan, and my name popped up in its place, it was humbling. Reminded me of a time I was so self-absorbed in my own junk I couldn't tell the enemy's lies apart from the Truth God wanted me to hear. A time when I was my own worst enemy, and all I did was push people away because all people do is hurt you and leave you.
It took a full day or two for me to shake all the things I was thinking and feeling about the autocorrect incident. I was constantly drifting back to it, even when I thought I had moved on. "Am I the enemy?", "is he using me to do evil and I can't tell the difference?", "oh no, what if I'm not saved and I'm just duping myself straight into hell?".
How did I finally shake all that? Complete and utter acceptance of God's Truths. While I wasn't able to understand or comprehend all of it, let alone let go of those feelings, I just reminded myself of what I knew was true because God said it... and if He says it- it ain't wrong.
- Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
- You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3
- Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8
- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. Psalm 32:8
- For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
So here I am, a broken mess, being reminded JUST HOW MUCH GOD LOVES ME because of a silly (not-likely-accidental) autocorrect blip. No such thing as accidents with our good Father, and I can't help but laugh at the level of detail He's willing to put into our lives so that we come to know things as He sees fit... Yeah, I'm loved. You are too. I'm sure if you stopped to look at all the things that happen to you, God's hand is so ever present; even if it takes a closer look. How is He moving in your life. Do you see it? Even notice it?
YOU are the 1 He left the 99 for. Time to let God do the typing and see what, or who, He autocorrects for our good.
(fun fact- when I was searching for sheep images for the thumbnail image, this goat popped up. Not because of any autocorrect, but our God is the GOAT.... isn't He?
