One day a few years ago, I was making some revisions to my novel “Kiss Your Mommy Goodbye.” It was my last opportunity to make any changes to my manuscript before it went into production. Actually, I was re-writing an entire scene and changing some dialogue. I was almost done when my computer screen went blank – not black – blank.
I stared in disbelief for a few minutes wondering what in the world? A Message box came up asking if I wanted to “Save” or “Don’t Save.” In my panic, I hit “Save” thinking I would save my document, but in reality, (if there is such a thing with computers), I actually saved my entire book as a blank document! There was no way to retrieve it! Anywhere. I hate when that happens!!
My shoulders slumped. I sighed in defeat as tears spilled onto my desk. Over six months of my work gone! I prayed, then I called my daughter. LaDawn couldn’t help me over the phone so she graciously drove the twelve miles to my house to try to help me. My sister, Gayle, joined us. We tried everything we could think of, but all was lost. We three looked at each other and shook our heads.
I hate when that happens!
Gayle brightened up. “Did you happen to save it on your flash drive?” “Yes, I did!” I exclaimed. And hope soared. “All right!” I sat down, plugged in the flash drive. “Ah, man!” I groaned. “What?” my two tech geeks asked in unison. “I don’t have the last couple of book revisions on it.” My shoulders slumped again.
“Hey, you have a sort of updated version,” LaDawn offered.
At my age, it’s a dangerous thing to try to try to remember more than my name, address, and phone number, let alone a whole book! But, I eventually was able to finish the manuscript in the most accurate semblance as possible.
I know the helpless feeling I had at the realization I could do nothing on my own to fix my earthly computer dilemma, but I can barely begin to imagine how some people will feel when they realize that getting to heaven on their own merit or through their good works will not work. And that’s for eternity! My flash drive was my solution for an earthly problem, but eternity needs a Savior who can accomplish the mission! The only One who guarantees eternity on His merit to all believe in His finished work at the cross.
It’s good to know we do not have to, nor can we depend on ourselves for eternity in heaven, but we can trust and rely on the One who can most assuredly bring us home. I love the joy in knowing my Savior rather than tears of defeat that all is lost.