The Typewriter

C.L. Sholes enjoyed building things. He spent many hours alone trying to make life better through his inventions. One of his serious ambitions was to make a machine that would print his thoughts faster than he could write them. From this desire came the typewriter.

He worked on this “machine” for years. At the end of the Civil War he made an agreement with Remington and Sons to manufacture 1,000 typewriters. They were to sell for $125.00 each. But the people who bought them and the people who tried them out were not impressed. In fact, the company was about to go bankrupt in 1880.

Then one of their salesmen thought of the business community. He reasoned that if the people who wrote important letters could do it faster and neater it would make businesses more profitable. He was right! In six years nearly every business office that could afford a typewriter had a typewriter.

The Psalmist said, “Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord.” Our God is the God of hope and help. What more is there?

Often we have what it takes to make a difference in our life and in the lives of others. We try but nothing happens. But when we offer whatever we have to God and ask Him to bless it for His good, we can count on His help and hope that He will reward us for our faithfulness.

Prayer: Lord, may we use every gift and talent You have given us to honor You. May the work of our hands and the desires of our hearts bring goodness to all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. Psalm 146:5