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By William Van Zyl
Published: 9 May 2026
The four letters you are thinking of might be a foul word or a curse word—something sharp, careless, and destructive. But what if those four letters could instead build, restore, and transform a life?
Think of four-letter words.
It is not
DOVE or CAVE or RAVE or BRAVE (Ooops five letters in this one).
Stop, don’t think of four-letter words. Rather, think of the four most loving handwritten letters you have ever received. How did it make you feel?
When Irish author Niall Williams was interviewed after the release of Four Letters of Love, nearly 27 years had passed since he first wrote the novel in 1997. Williams had lived in Manhattan before returning to Ireland with his wife. When approached by filmmakers to adapt his novel, he committed himself to preserving the story’s authenticity—its voice, its spirituality, and its deeply Irish roots.
In the interview, Williams shared something remarkable about his writing process. He did not plan the novel. Instead, he waited—patiently—for inspiration. The first sentence came to him: “When I was 12 years old, God spoke to my father for the first time.” Then, he waited six weeks for the second: “God did not say much.”
That quiet, deliberate unfolding reflects the deeper message of the story itself: that meaning, love, and purpose are often revealed slowly, through faith, patience, and trust.
Poster of the Movie: Based on the best-selling novel by Niall Williams, written in 1997. WILLIAMS WORDS: Williams said that when the filmmaker approached him, he knew he had to protect the novel’s humble Irish cultural context. He did just that, keeping the story as close and true as possible to Ireland and its people. He further said that the surface of Ireland has changed quite a bit since his childhood and since he wrote the novel; however, the values, the culture, and the hearts of the people remain essentially the same.
Book cover of the novel: Four Letters of Love. Credit: Website Niall Williams. Link: https://niallwilliams.com/pages/fiction
Niall Williams, Irish writer. Author of the now-famous novel Four Letters of Love. Credit: https://niallwilliams.com/pages/biography
The Significant Spiritual References
One of the most striking elements of Four Letters of Love is its rich spiritual atmosphere. Characters speak to God as if He is near—present in ordinary life. There is a sense of reverence woven into daily routines: glancing at a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall, pausing in moments of uncertainty, and seeking divine guidance in decisions both big and small.
I include one of my favourite pictues of Jesus for you. The pictures in the novel resembles this picture. Photo of Jesus by
Jesus Collage. Description: COLLAGE VINTAGE 1910s Jesus Sacred Heart Postcard 1940s 1950s 1970s Stamps.
These images echo a particular era of Irish life—roughly from 1915 to the 1960s—where faith was not abstract but tangible. Religious artwork filled homes, and spirituality shaped identity. In this context, faith was not merely a belief system; it was a lived experience. It informed relationships, decisions, and even suffering.
Marriage Is Hard Work
“Once the wedding is over, the hard work begins. And it can take decades. In my marriage, I am still working after 45 years of holy matrimony.”
The novel does not romanticise love. Instead, it presents a truth often overlooked: once married, the real work begins.
Marriage is not a fixed state of happiness; it is a journey of growth. It may take 10, 20, even 60 years for two people to truly understand one another—to adapt, to forgive, and to mature together. Love, in this sense, is not just a feeling; it is a commitment sustained over time. Just like The Father and His Son, Jehovah and Jesus never give up on His Bride. They protect, They serve, They guide, They shape, They comfort, and Their love has no end. An everlasting covenant.
This perspective challenges modern ideas of instant gratification. It reminds us that lasting relationships are built through perseverance, humility, and sacrifice.
The Impact of the Decisions We Make
Throughout the story, decisions carry weight—sometimes life-altering consequences. The characters wrestle with choices that require courage, faith, and discernment.
A powerful theme emerges: the importance of consulting God. In moments of uncertainty, the characters do not rely solely on logic or emotion. They seek divine direction, sometimes even asking for a sign. One such moment involves a heartfelt plea: heal my brother if I am meant to marry this man. And, by the way the brother did get healed!
This reflects a deep trust in God’s sovereignty—a belief that He is actively involved in human lives. It also raises an important question for us: how often do we pause to seek guidance beyond ourselves?
We All Need a Miracle from Time to Time
At the heart of the novel lies the idea of miracles—not as grand spectacles, but as deeply personal moments of divine intervention. The young man in the story, cripled by an accident, is miraculously healed, a moment that shifts the course of the lives of those around him.
Literal or symbolic, miracles represent hope. They remind us that even in the darkest circumstances, change is possible. Healing—physical, emotional, or spiritual—can come when least expected.
In a world often driven by certainty and control, the idea of miracles invites us to remain open—to believe that something greater than ourselves is at work.
Final Reflection
So, what are the four letters that can shake your world?
They are not words of anger or destruction. They are not meant to wound or divide.
They are simple, powerful, and eternal.
Here is a love letter from God and His Son, Yeshua, including a four-letter word:
GOD LOVES YOU.
But not just any love—a love that is patient, enduring, sacrificial, and rooted in something deeper than emotion. Our reciprocal love listens for God’s voice, that works through hardship, that seeks guidance, and that still believes in miracles.
This kind of love does not just change your world.
It transforms people.
I include a link to the video that summarises (explains) the film. The film is also on YouTube (free) if you want to watch it. Search YouTube: Four Letters of Love.
Copyright © 2026 by William Van Zyl
Four Letters That Will Shake Your World.
All rights reserved. This eBook/article or any portion
thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
without the publisher’s permission, except for using brief quotations in a book review.
Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)
First Publishing, May 2026
More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/
More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/
