Wordle-like faith
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last several months, you’ve likely heard of the wildly popular game Wordle. In case you’re not one of some 500,000 people who play it daily, I’ll give you a quick summary.
With each puzzle, you have six chances to guess a randomly selected five-letter word. With each guess, letters will turn green if it’s in the right spot, yellow if it’s in the word but the wrong spot, or gray if the letter isn’t in the word at all. So it’s an exercise of the mind as you attempt to put the letters in the right order and discover the correct word of the day.
Various strategies have been suggested as the best way to secure a daily Wordle win. Some recommend guessing a letter with a number of vowels—like ‘aisle’ or ‘adieu’—as a way of maximizing your guessing potential. Some people use the same word, every day, for the first guess. Others like to mix it up each day. If you’re intrigued enough to give it a try, click here.
But my absolute favorite thing about Wordle is that you can only play one game per day. One game, six guesses. And then you’re done. Whether you succeed or fail. Whether it’s a real stumper or you complete the game in two guesses. Either way, you play once and then you move on to other things. You’ll have to wait until the next day for a brand new puzzle.
It seems to me this has a pretty strong correlation to how we ought to live the entirety of our lives. Some days we have great successes. Other days feel like we can’t get anything right. But God offers us this incredible gift called grace. It tells us that no single day defines who we are. In fact, it says so right in scripture when we’re told “God’s mercies are new every morning.” That includes every Wordle winner OR loser.
For the longest time, I had a magnet on my refrigerator with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It said:
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
I can’t think of much better advice, whether you’re a Wordle-r or not. No matter what today holds, tomorrow we’ll start again. A new puzzle, a clean slate, and abundant grace.
Deb Booker
What a great message! And I love the comparison with Wordle. Move on – forgive yourself- begin again-always confident in God’s love & mercy!
Georgia Dugan
Great message, Katie. I often tell myself “begin again” when starting a new day.
Anke maass
wonderful comparing the one and done…..I try to start each morning like its a fresh start. Doesn’t always work but this sure helps!!!
Marcia Willi
Really needed to hear that Katy,about being a ” new day” a new day to beget God’s grace. Peace to all..
Gerry Gjerde
Katie, once again you offer a thoughtful message for living each day in the gift of grace.
Gerry Gjerde
Thanks for a zesty message. Once again you offer a thoughtful word for living each day in the gift of grace.
Deb Lamp
Great message and reminds us of a new start with every new day, and all with Grace
Bob Neuman
p.s. Hi to Megan!
Bob Neuman
Love getting the St.Paul newsletter electronically. Thank you!
My go-to initial guess for Wordle is : G-U-S-T-Y
🙂 Bob
Pat Koranda
Being a “half full” guy my entire life, I’ve always thought that tomorrow will be better than today. I didn’t get Wordle today, but I’m sure I will get it tomorrow… unless I don’t…
Love your message Katy!
Katie Hanson
What an apt and useful reminder! Thanks for the excellent message!
Judi Berkley
I love the quote from Emerson!
Today’s Wordle was a real stumper (although I got it on the last try)!