Sharpening Another

Sharpening Another 

As iron sharpens iron,

So one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

My daughter did not “get” math.  From first grade on through high school, every form of mathematics was difficult for her.  A math specialist advised me to take away the textbooks and put manipulatives in her hands.  That helped during elementary school, but did not flip the switch that would facilitate her understanding beyond the basics.

When she went to college, she had to take a math class her freshman year, and registered for  Introduction to Statistics instead of algebra (her nemesis in high school).    Enter Dr. Jane – a very engaging teacher who loved the material she was teaching and knew how to reach her students.  At the end of first semester, my daughter was tutoring another student and had been offered the position of Teaching Assistant (TA) for Dr. Jane.  She ended up getting a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, and eventually a Master’s Degree in Probability & Statistics\Bioinformatics from Texas A&M University. 

My daughter now teaches math and statistics at a local high school, and loves getting a student who “doesn’t get it.”  As her mind was sharpened by Dr. Jane, so she sharpens the minds of the students standing next in line.

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It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.

That’s how it is with God’s love,

Once you’ve experienced it.

You spread His love to everyone,

You want to pass it on.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 572