I always had a tough time with Algebra. In fact, I took it three times: twice in high school and once in college. Grasping the formulas just seemed to elude me. Who came up with X & Y anyway? Why not P & Q? My parents, both of whom are math whizzes, tried to explain it to me. They hired a tutor, to no avail. In college my friend, Wynn, tutored me twice a week and I barely made a C+. I felt sorry for Wynn. He had been dating me in high school during my second shot at Algebra. My assumption is he was tired of hearing me whine about it by the time I got to college and was determined to get me through that class once and for all.
My problem with algebra was that I just didn’t see the purpose for it. Geometry made sense to me. It was concrete; I used it when I made quilts or when I sewed a skirt. But algebra just seemed silly and pointless. It wasn’t until I was 31 years old and working with an early spreadsheet software program called Lotus 1.2.3 that it all finally sunk in. It was a true “aha” moment that day at work, as I learned how the equations fit together to give me a tangible result to calculate my cash flow projections. Algebra finally had a purpose to me so I understood it and used it.
Living a life dedicated to God can seem like Algebra to some people. They don’t see what the purpose of it is for them as an individual. Thinking “What application could a bunch of rules (the Bible) have to my life? I’m a “good person” who does the “right things”, is honest and kind. Why do I need someone to tell me what to do and how to do it? How could it possibly benefit me? I can get along fine without God.” they go on about life.
Then it hits: that thing in life that just can’t be figured out, the troubled marriage that counseling isn’t helping, the sense of depression that medication won’t cure, the unexplainable “something missing” that they just can’t put their finger on. One day something heavenly happens, something that can’t really be explained with words. Oh, it’s God! Believing in Him and living for Him puts the missing pieces into our puzzle of a life. The Bible goes from being a book of restrictions to a book filled with wisdom and a story that we see ourselves as a part of. We now have a sense of eternal purpose and it all fits together to give us a tangible result: peace that passes understanding. The equations finally make sense.
When I taught first grade we used to watch videos on how to be a better teacher. One of the things I learned is that it is the TEACHER'S job to present the relevance of a subject. The guy on the tape said he wanted to punch his kid's math teacher because his son thought he would only ever use decimals in math class.
As Christians, we should preach a relevant gospel.
Posted by: Eleanor | October 16, 2006 at 10:33 PM
Wow, it's been a bit since I visited your blog, the colors are wonderful!!
P.S.
I would like to add your blog to the Gifts website as a personal link. There are currently several blogs there.
http://giftsds.segullah.org/down_syndrome_links.htm
I think it would make a nice addition to our list. Please let me know if this is acceptable by emailing me at: rebecca_phong[at]segullah.org
Posted by: Rebecca P. | October 18, 2006 at 04:18 PM