Proper Capitalization.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Proper Capitalization. One of my English teachers from Vilonia Junior High School is a Facebook friend, and occasionally she “likes” one of these blogs. I’m not sure if she reads them all, but I’m pretty positive that if Mrs. Brenda Reynolds reads today’s blog I’m going to get an email. And please understand, I’m usually a pretty big fan of proper punctuation and grammar rules. I try my best to sound like I have at least a minimal amount of sense, but today may just make you think otherwise. You see, today I’m beginning a new tradition in my life as it relates to capitalization.
We’re taught in school to capitalize names, titles, and proper things like that. We learn early on that when we sign our name that a capital letter goes at the beginning. As a matter of fact, that’s probably one of the first things we learn in our school career, because our name is a pretty important word to us. We would put it at the top of every paper, project, and mine even made its way to the teacher’s black board a time or to…per week.
We’re also taught to capitalize the pronouns used to refer to Deity, to God. When we use the words He, Him, or His to refer to our God or something that belongs to Him, we capitalize it. There are “proper reasons” in the wide, wide world of grammar that we do this, I’m sure. It’s a simple issue of deep, deep respect and honor for me. Which made me think last night – what can I do in my life, and my writing, to focus even more of the honor, respect, admiration, and focus on Him instead of me? And that brought me to where I am this morning.
From this point on, when you see me write or type my own name, it will be void of capitalization. I know, I know – the world just stopped spinning for a second. Sure it challenges the known rules of the English language. Sure there are most likely a plethora of reasons that I shouldn’t do this. But all that aside, it’s really an issue of honor and respect. You see, by leaving out the capitals, I’m communicating to the world in my own small way that it’s not about me. I’m not the one deserving of honor, reverence, respect, or admiration. Not this guy, no way. As a matter of fact, I’m about as undeserving of those things as any one man. When Paul wrote, “Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am chief,” he’d never met me yet. But the God I adore and serve, well, He is all deserving.
It’s a tiny gesture, and much like every effort of my life, a very insignificant one in the grand scheme of things I know. But it’s just one more thing I can do to point the attention, focus, and glory back to where it belongs – Him. So there you have it. I’m taking a walk on the wild side of grammar to simply make a point. He is God, and beside Him there is no other. Period. There’s no denying it. And every time you see my name printed or signed, I’m hoping I can remind you of that.

That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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