Before TD and I started working on the laws of indices, he didn’t know that things like a¹ x a² = a³ or that a² x b² = (a x b)². It’s been slow going, but he’s starting to get it.
Now, it’s all about application—seeing the problem, recalling all the math rules, facts, and laws he’s learned, and using them to find a solution. The thing is, when I look at the page of algebraic symbols, it looks like gobbledygook. Yet in order to teach it, explain it, and encourage him, I can’t show what I feel (What in the world…?! Will he ever use this?). I have to go with what I know (Order of operations, flip it and multiply…). All good math students—and teachers—know that math laws, facts, and rules don’t change, whether you’re working with constants or variables.
Lately, I’ve been looking at my life and seeing lots of gobbledygook—questions, doubt, fears, confusion, rejection. Symbols, variables, problems. Nothing concrete. I must admit, the temporal clouded my view of eternity. I started to rely on how I felt (I’m a failure. How will I ever use this?).
But then I started going with what I know. (He will never leave me nor forsake me. It all works for my good. He will finish the work He’s begun.) When I could only murmur “Amen” when I knelt beside Hubby at night, I focused on reciting the Lord’s Prayer to myself during the day. When I couldn’t write a single word, I quoted what He wrote for me in Psalm 139: You’ve searched me…Know me…Try me…Lead me. I used the answers to my Bible study homework to address the questions in my heart. I spent time with friends who know the Lord who reminded me He knows—and loves—me, too. And in all my gettin’, I got some understanding. (Proverbs 4:5-7)
Man will, the earth will, and yes, even math will, but the promises of God will never change.
Now, there’s a fact you can apply to your own situation.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises,… (2 Peter 1:2-4)
Robin, I hope you never tire of hearing thanks for sharing your reflections which (re) turn us to our heavenly Father, our loving problem solver. .
As long as you never tire of hearing me say, “Thank you!” 🙂