Friday, December 31, 2010

lower case letters

dear emily,

after re-reading the grammar rules for capitalization, i realized
that i  have never explained my reason for breaking them.

it's childlike, and i have been chastised for it but will continue to
use only lower case letters for my simple thoughts.  i like the idea
of saving the upper case ones for the One who deserves them,
because this allows me to show Him honor in a 'big' and 'small'
way.

one of my favorite lines is  from harry wormwood to his young
daughter, matilda. "listen you little wise acre, i'm smart; you're
dumb.  i'm big; you're little.  i'm right; you're wrong, and there's
nothing you can do about it."

 google image


it's hilarious, because he is actually the dumb, little, and wrong
one.   i want to be the polar opposite of harry wormwood and
by writing in lower case letters, i have an opportunity to show
what i think about myself.

the Lord is omniscient;  i'm not very smart.  He's BIG;  i'm little.
He's just and true in all His ways; i'm frequently wrong, but there
are many things i can do about that.

love,
lea

"praise our God, all you servants, you who fear Him, both small
and great."  revelation 19:5

28 comments:

-stephanie- said...

I never really thought anything about your lowercase letters. I like it. And you're right, HE does deserve the Uppercase.
Happy New Year.

His Song to Sing said...

Happy New Year to you too, lea (small "l" just for you)! Love your justification and reasoning behind the small letters. The old secretary/transcriptionist in me just can't go there. I've wondered sometimes if my kids make fun of me as I even use punctuation and capitals in text messages.

Thankful to Him that He brought you my way in 2010 as I'm always uplifted by your "letters" and your sweet comments on my little piece of the web.

Vee said...

Whatever you prefer, my dear. It's all very e.e. cummings of you and you explained it very well, too. I'm tempted to talk you out of it (or foolishly try) because I happen to know that He loves You and doesn't think of You as some little dolt. ♥

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

always so funny...i came to wish you the best of a happy new year...from this grammar delinquent writer
blessings to you and yours!!! HE IS THE GREAT I AM!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

Sandy said...

You have a way of endearing
yourself to others by the
sweet and simple, yet oh so
profound, way you write. I
guess I never really thought
about your lack of capital
letters. Doesn't matter really
but I couldn't do it. Somehow
it suits you though. Thanks
for always making me stop and
think about the really important
things in life, Lea. I look
forward to "hearing" what you
have to say in this new year.
Have a happy one!
Love,
Sandy

Auntie Cake said...

And in your "little" ways, showing BIG wisdom...

Kathleen said...

Clever ... and a powerful way to remind yourself (and others) of the Lord. I like it!

I also like to think He's engraved my name on His palms in CAPS.

Blessings,
Kathleen

Farm Girl said...

So true all of it, and I am glad because that sets you apart. It makes you Lea, and I am glad. I am glad you quoted that part from Matilda because it is one of my favorites.
I wish you blessings upon blessing in 2011 Lea, big or little letters aside.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

i like your small letters. i am always tempted to do the same, so now i'm going to do it in this comment...

you are a very special 'heart gift', i love the way your mind works, you make me smile and even laugh out loud, and your gift of expression is always a joy. i would agree completely, the friends i have made on these blog pages have become my daily 'buddies'... the sharing of like minds and hearts is such a real fellowship.

you are one of my very favorite 2010 gifts! :)

Bree said...

Merry Christmas and happy New Year sweet friend-I've been quiet here for a while-so busy and trying to find a happy balance. Hubby is on his first missions trip to Africa, please keep him and the team in prayer. Boys and I are missing him but so excited for God's plans! Bless you!
love, bree

Vivek said...

Hi Lea,

wish you a very happy new year.. full of joy and happiness.
I like your choice of choosing lower case.. I really admire you for being so very different. . which keeps you very near to God and the almighty has given me a wonderful gift you as a great friend truely inspiring like you to connect to him
Good news from my side is MOM fine now... and doing well.

see you soon..

take care
keep smiling. . :-))
with love
Vivek

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Yupper! I think HE deserves solid uppercase whenever and wherever we think of/speak of/honor/worship/etc HIM.

I am always uplifted when I stop here. Always.

Happy New Year, Lea!

Becky K. said...

Hello!

I popped in from Vee's Friends list and I am glad I did. It is wonderful to read this explanation and to be reminded in this new year exactly Who is to be first place in all we say or do.

You are very precious in the sight of the Lord....but I get the respect you offer Him in this area of your life.


Happy New Year!

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

Happy New Year, Lea.
As a writer (and former English teacher), it took some getting used to your lower case letters. I always think something is missing, then I remember I'm reading your blog.
I can live with that:-)
I wish you every blessing for 2011. May you have love, happiness and soundness of mind.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

My favorite poet always used lower case letters :)

I hope you and your family have a new year full of good health, happiness and many new blessings!

Unknown said...

I LOVE the movie Matilda!!! I've laughed over Harry's dialogue to Matilda many times, too!!
I always enjoy your blog, Lea - it usually makes me giggle or leads me in deep thought...He is the Great I AM and I am so thankful to be grafted into His wonderful Family!
Happy New Year, my friend!
Love,
Leslie

Southern Lady said...

I actually like your lowercase letters! I do love your reason for them. However, I would read your posts no matter how you decided to capitalize! Happy New Year, friend. Carla

Joan Elizabeth said...

Crikey today I realised that you had disappeared from my Blog roll during the revamp ... should not have been doing it too late on New Year's Eve. This has now been rectified :-) I think your use of lower case letters it cute .. used to annoy me once but I got over that.

Susan B said...

Dear Lea,
I love the way you think! :)
~Hugs~

Sewn With Grace said...

A very Happy New Year to you Lea! You can use any size letter you want as long as you keep posting to us! God Bless!

Crown of Beauty said...

Now that you are explaining it, your lowercase letters make a lot of sense.

This year I have met many new blog friends who have inspired me and encouraged me ... and you are definitely one of them, dear Lea.

Praising God for you in 2011...
Lidj

Rita said...

dear lea,
your post is simply marvelous and profound.
thank you for inspiring me at each and every post since I discovered you and your amazing blog.
Wish you and yours a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011 my dear.
rita

Jo said...

e.e. cummings, the famous poet, wrote only in small letters too, except when he referred to God. So you and he have something in common. :-)

"the earth laughs in flowers." ~~ e.e. cummings

Rebecca said...

i SO understand.

Gwendolyn said...

So true, Lea! It is good to remind ourselves frequently of how far above anything we know, HE IS! Thank you and a Blessed New Year to you!

TeriGigi/Girl Meets Paris said...

So far... simply put... best post of the new year!

Gloria said...

Thanks for the explanation on the lower case letters...:) I love how you are using it to glorify God!!

Matilda....I love that movie!! My whole family does...:) NOW I will think of YOU and how you glorify God when I watch this movie!!! Amazing lady you are!!

May God bless you in the coming New Year!!
XOXO Gloria

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

One of my current pet peeves is court cases and text books that lower case The Bible. It is 1. a book, so the title needs capitalization and 2. it is God's Holy Word.

It especially bugs me when the same court cases and text books use capitalization and the word "Holy" with "Koran", yet don't use the word Holy with Bible, even if that is the full title of the edition they are talking about.

Thanks for listening!