Last week, I received a rather agonised email from a writer friend. She told me how, having decided to self-publish her latest book, she checked it through many times and enlisted others to help as well. However, after all that painstaking editing, she managed to send the wrong version off to the printer! By the time she realised her mistake, it was too late. That first print run was complete.
I did not have to try too hard to put myself in her shoes and empathise. I have never self-published, but I know what it feels like to have a publisher print one of my books, having added extra mistakes of his or her own, after I had signed off on the final version and agreed everything was just as I wanted it! I felt my friend’s pain and embarrassment. She was not looking forward to being judged as ignorant or less than thorough, particularly by her writing peers.
In recent weeks, however, I have found myself challenged in an even deeper way to walk in someone else’s shoes. At a friend’s suggestion, I decided to tackle a book of daily spiritual exercises entitled The Ignatian Adventure by Kevin O’Brien. Part of this adventure involves reading the Gospels with all my senses and imagination at work and contemplating the life of Jesus in a fresh, up close and personal way. It involves letting the events of Jesus’ life be present to me right now, as best I can. And it involves allowing the Holy Spirit to touch my heart in the process, rather than merely gaining head knowledge about Jesus.
So far, I have contemplated the birth of Jesus as one of those bystanders in the stable. I have put myself in the shoes of Anna and Simeon at Jesus’ presentation in the temple and wondered what it must have been like for Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with their son. I have sensed their confusion when Jesus, as a young man, chooses to stay behind in the temple, asking the teachers questions. I have put myself in those scenes where Jesus calls his first disciples. I have tried to imagine how Jesus must have felt on hearing that affirming voice from heaven as he is baptised in the Jordan River and have asked my loving Father to speak those words into my own spirit. I have been deeply challenged, being with Jesus in that desert as he faces being tempted. I have listened with anger as he experiences rejection in his own home town. I put all my senses to work to picture the scene where a paralytic is lowered through the roof so Jesus can heal him. I heard the criticisms—but I also joined with others who praised God, saying ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ (Mark 2:12)
I’m up to the Sermon on the Mount now—and I can’t wait. I’m so much looking forward to journeying on with Jesus and listening to what the Spirit wants to say to me. I want my relationship with Jesus to be authentic, to be current, to be up close and personal. After all, it’s the best way to become more like him, don’t you think?
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
Firstly, I feel so sorry for that writer friend also.. My first book came out with one mistake by the publisher, and I was mortified. They wrote hunchback whale instead of humpback… but now I see the funny side and can laugh about it.
For your friend, I can only imagine the hurt, and hers is no laughing matter..
Walking beside and watching Jesus as a bystander. That’s is wonderful and my heart rejoices to have read this!! And, you have encouraged me to do the same now, what a wonderful way to be up front, close to him and personal.. My heart rejoices with your insight. God Bless you heaps for sharing. Hugs
Yes, I think only authors can empathise fully with other authors, when those books are released with mistakes and all! Out of my seven published books, I think only one of them came out without any silly little mistakes–but it keeps us humble, I guess. I’m sure, with the mistake you mentioned though, that only a handful, if that, would have noticed.
And I’m so glad my blog encouraged you to stand near Jesus in those Gospel scenes, watching and listening. I pray much blessing on you as you do, Crystal.
You know, Jo-Anne that I to sent the wrong version of one of my books to the publisher. It is so important to name those edited versions clearly. However, in a rather weird way I am a little comforted to know someone else has made that same mistake. God certainly has His ways of keeping us humble – and helping us to be not only better writers but continuing to direct our growth in faith and understanding of His marvellous love, ways. This includes teaching us that without Him we can do nothing of eternal significance.
Yes, Mary, I am very careful to name my versions of any current manuscript clearly, after hearing about such stories as yours. Not much anyone can do about it though if the publisher changes things after we have signed off! Oh well–as you say, it keeps us humble and teaches us so much. But I did feel sorry for this person and could empathise easily with her.