dit-dit-dit-dah!

Some will recognize the Morse code 3 dots and a dash that stands for the letter "V" and is a familiar sound from Beethoven's 5th symphony, I think, but in World War II reminded us that "'V' is for Victory!" The old-time telegrapher spelled out messages in short clicks and long clicks over the wires, but radio-telegraphy technology made it possible to hear the sound of dots and dashes. As a Navy radioman in the war we listened to Morse code broadcasts 24-7 at sea as ships near and far communicated. We were to be alert for any distress signals from ships in trouble and for any messages addressed to our ship. For instance, a possible submarine attack was signalled by "SSSS" over the radio, and, of course, one needing assistance would send out a frantic "SOS"! Because of danger everywhere, radio silence was maintained until absolutely necessary, and so most of us did not get to send messages at sea and often grew "rusty." It takes a very flexible wrist motion to make a really understandable Morse code message on the telegraph key, believe me, but some operators were very accomplished at it and some veterans even used what was called a "bug" telegraph key. As I recall, the "bug" had a side-to-side action instead of the normal up-and-down movement, and so it could really send messages fast, almost like "brrrrrrp, brrrrrp!" When I would listen in to such I was not only amazed at the operator's skill, but also amused when he made a mistake, because he had to stop and correct the error. How did he do that? Well, just like the slow-poke operator with a normal key and wrist motion he simply first spelled out "dit-dit-dit-dit-dit" or "e-e-e-e-e" which, of course, stood for an Error, and then finished his corrected transmission. I've been pondering that solution to mistakes and boo-boos in radio telegraphy and how easy it would be if we could make things right with God or one another by just somehow keying in "e-e-e-e-e" and then everything was okay again! However, it's not that simple. According to God's Word it took the death of His Son on the cross, and our faith in Him, to make possible the forgiveness of sins. Let's be honest, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us. (BUT) if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!" (I John 1:8,9). This does not required any wrist action, but it surely does take some knee action!