By Ashlie Miller
Decimals – little marks that make a huge difference in answers. I’ve been helping my daughter work through decimals recently in mathematics. I introduced her to the concept of multiplying or dividing by 10s, 100s, or 1000s, which simply means how far over you move the tiny little point (.). She got it and enjoyed that that was the extent of the lesson.
It reminded me of when I was first introduced to them myself. How could anyone recall something so trivial? Well, it was the circumstance in which I was taught. I was attending a local Christian school at the time, which included elementary through high school. My 4th-grade teacher was married to a junior high school teacher. One day, she came to me during recess and asked me to come with her for something. Maybe she told me why, but being a compliant child who made good grades and didn’t get into trouble, I heard nothing about the details after she called me to come with her. That was usually a sign of trouble (or bad news). I was already shy, and now I was pretty frightened. However, we made it to the trailer classroom where a math lesson was already in session. I was brought to the front of the room by the chalkboard, with my teacher by my side. Her husband began explaining decimals and their placement when multiplying or dividing. After the brief lesson, he handed me a piece of chalk and asked me to demonstrate where to place the decimal in the equation. As an adult, I probably would have thought it a trick question, but at the time, it was easy to just quietly but confidently answer. I looked at my teacher, who smiled down on me, her husband thanked me for the answer, and I left with my teacher. Although uncertain of what took place when I left, I imagine he must have then said to his students something along the lines of, “See, it really is simpler than you are making it.”
This is not so much a story about one’s self-confidence as it is about the confidence others have in us. I am grateful for teachers in my past and friends in my life today who have seen strengths where I see weaknesses or press me on to do just a bit more than I think I would be comfortable with. I’ve been spurred to lead students of various ages, speak in front of others, get into running, get into writing, consider homeschooling, and many more things that have challenged and enriched my life. I wonder at times how long it would otherwise have taken me to embrace each of these things on my own.
While there are several passages in the Bible about stirring up and rekindling flames already within us, there are likewise several that prompt us to encourage others toward love and good works. For many of us, we need someone else who can see what we are capable of and hand us the chalk. Church leadership refers to this as the ICNU (“I see in you…”) principle. Often, when we let people know that we need them to use their gift for the sake of someone else, they will step up even if it is reluctantly. But reluctance can lead to confidence and growth! And particularly in the kingdom of God, it can lead to building up a whole body of believers.
When is the last time you encouraged a friend, peer, or student towards something you knew would enrich their lives as well as the lives of others? When is the last time you reluctantly accepted a challenge that a friend or leader knew would be good for you to help others? Are you ready to take that next step?
Ashlie Miller attended Christian elementary school in Salisbury, NC. She currently lives in Concord. You can email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.
