I had to do a little research on bad language and swear words, because I want to, I can’t help but use one here or there. I once used one to describe how big the hole was when a loved one died. In a nice way, someone let me know that the Gospel is powerful enough to use another strong word as well. Point taken!

From my research, I see that the one I want to use now does not qualify as a swear word but is instead called bad language. That means it’s not as bad as a swear word, but still not meant to be used in polite company.

I hope I will be forgiven for the bad language, but this story is priceless. Mari (not her real name) says:

My cousin and her son were on their way to their family holiday home. She asked him to send a text message to his grandparents to find out when they were leaving.

He did so, and when the answer came back, she asked him to read it to her.

He said, Grandpa says they’re leaving “d*mn fast” tomorrow morning.

She was shocked at this, because her father never swears. So, she asked her son to read exactly what it said in the SMS.

He read aloud: “We leave tomorrow morning, DV(f).”

What a funny story about how children can misinterpret a word they don’t understand.

DV is the abbreviation for the Latin words Deo Volente, where Deo refers to Deus, which means God, and Volente refers to vollens, which can be translated as willing or wills. DV can be directly translated to: If God wills it so.

So, when someone says, I will see you tomorrow DV at the coffee shop, it means that they will meet each other at the coffee shop if it is God’s will.

So many things can happen that these two people cannot foresee. One can fall sick, or something can go wrong with the other person’s transport to the coffee shop. Ah, so many factors can put a spoke in the wheel.

One simply cannot be sure about the day of tomorrow. We must understand our shortcomings and humanity in this instance. We must admit that we are completely dependent on God and can only wake up tomorrow, show up at an appointment, if it is within God’s will.

¹⁵Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”

We are totally dependent on God’s will. Let’s live it and look forward to the day of tomorrow and what God wants and plans for us.

Scripture
James 4:13-15

Reflection
Do you use DV?
Do you believe that God determines your tomorrow?
How should you then live differently?

Prayer
Father, thank you that I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. Help me recognise this by always using DV because I am totally dependent on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.