There are many differences between the Queen’s English and the language used by Americans. One word with a different meaning is “diary”. Americans tend to think of diary as a personal record/log/blog of one’s activities during a day. When an individual from England uses the word, American’s translate the meaning as schedule or appointments. As an example, when you are asked to “check your diary”, the question is not personal! It is simply a request to see if you have time during your day for a particular request.
When I first heard the phrase, I was puzzled. Why did they want to know my secrets? What were they asking me? The question could not be the obvious one, so what was the question?
As I began to understand that there was more to the question than either extreme, I adopted it into my vocabulary. Yesterday, I asked someone to check his diary. I caught the emotions passing across his face! I recognized the confusion. I heard the puzzling retort, “what do you want me to do”?
Even as I found myself laughing inside, I searched for a way to explain. I wanted to know if he was personally available. I was interested in knowing more than his schedule. I wanted to know if he was willing to give me a piece of his attention. Perhaps a better way of describing my request would have been to ask if he was willing to reserve undivided time for me – free of phones, distractions, and responding to the call to wander.
I have come to appreciate the value of the English question. When I note that God “has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”” (Acts 17.31) I recognize that God has marked the diary. It is personal, without distractions or conflicts.
I wonder what I am filling my diary with today. Candidly, I have not thought that much about it. I should.
