I’ve never been good at math. I’ve always excelled in things like spelling and science, but for some reason math just does not compute well in my brain! Sophomore year in high school – that’s when I really figured out that me and ANY form of math just don’t get along!
My teacher was Ms. Dallon. She was a tough teacher. Prior to teaching, she was in the military – so she knew what it meant to be disciplined and focused. A lot of students didn’t want her as a teacher because of how hard her class was, but God knew what He was doing when he put me with her.
I struggled from the get go, but I was determined to do all that I could to pass the class. Every day at lunch, Ms. Dallon offered tutoring. Day in and day out I sat with her while she tried to explain to me how to do complex equations. I’ll never forget, one day she looked at me and said “You’re doing all the work right but somehow getting the wrong answer!” She had so much patience with me and for that I am truly grateful for her!
At the end of the year, by God’s grace and a lot of work, I passed! I think I passed with a C, but for me that was total success! Was it a perfect grade? No. Was it something I worked very hard for and was very proud of? Absolutely!
My brother and my uncle are the type of people that never really needed to study, but still got amazing grades! I used to want to be more like that. Or more like my sister Jill, who has such an out-going, can-have-a-conversation-with-a-tree type of personality. Or even like my sister Jamie, who has so much drive and passion that she moves mountains! They all naturally have so many great qualities that I have to work hard towards.
I’m still not great at math. I don’t always say things that make sense. I read numbers backwards. I mispronounce words. I sometimes don’t understand what someone is trying to explain to me. (I’m a hands on learner!) I make mistakes. BUT, I ask a lot of questions.
Through the years, I’ve come to realize that my imperfections make me…..well me!
God knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He created me as well as each and every one of you, and He did it with a purpose in mind.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
