The power of a teacher’s words is undeniably a shaping force in a child’s life. Like all words, it can bring life or death, birth forth a dream or squash it in its tracks.
It’s no secret that I barely made it through Geometry in high school. At that time it was enough to get me admitted to my college of choice and that was good enough!
Recently, while grading my son’s Algebra 2 work, a realization and revelation set in. I realized that since I had been grading this higher math, I had been understanding a good majority of it. And that in itself was a bit of irony given my past schooling.
Then a memory came to my consciousness. It was of my 9th grade Algebra teacher. Her words still as sharp as the day they left her lips…
“You’re stupid!”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“You have no future in advanced math!”
I also realized that for the past 30 years I believed those words and those words held me in a captive state that frankly is not my reality. I cannot go back and relive those days. However, I can choose a different reality for my children and their education.
When faced with their shortcomings, they will know what God’s word says!
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
So when your child doesn’t rank in the top percentiles, remember that their worth is not found in percentages and placements. Through the Word they ARE everything His says they ARE!
And as for us who have been wounded with words, when we don’t measure up to the world’s measuring stick, we too can remember that in God’s word, we ARE capable and more than a conqueror. When the enemy comes to lie, steal and destroy, cast your eyes upon Jesus. The author and finisher and absolute authority of our faith! He is our conqueror!
