"Build it Up"

Numbers are big, scary and have always had the power to overtake me in a way that gives me the creeps! At least that was how I felt when I was eleven years old. I was in the fifth grade, and my teacher gave out an assignment that involved writing out all the multiples of the numbers one through twenty. She gave us a sheet of graph paper and told us to bring it in the next day.


I was confused with how I would possibly be able to finish this assignment on my own. Luckily, my older brother has always been advanced in math. He offered to help me finish it. My brother did not focus on my fear of numbers, but on the fun that we would have working together on a project. He encouraged me with my persistence, and told me that I could complete it. Ephesians 4:29 explains, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. My brother could have refused to help me. Or worse, criticized me for not understanding the assignment. However, he made me feel like a hard worker for sticking with the challenge.


When he guided me through the assignment, I did not become an expert in math. In fact, I have accepted that I will probably never become one. However, I gained valuable skills while I received his teaching. I understood patience as I dealt with a very scary thing for me. “We have different gifts according to the grace given us (Romans 12:6).” So, it is normal to have difficulty in the areas that we are not gifted. As believers, we will not possess every spiritual gift (Romans 12: 6-8). Although, we are called to understand the different facets of the Spirit, in which we live. Galatians 5:22 states, “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”


With my brother's help, I listed all the multiples up to the number twenty. He told me that he believed we could go further and write out all the multiples up to the number ninety-nine, which would fill up the entire sheet of graph paper. His encouragement, along with my persistence, allowed me to go beyond the expectation of the assignment. What is your struggle? Have you accepted your need in this area? Which fruit can be fulfilled? I realize now that it is okay if I am not an expert in math, but am thankful that I gained the fruit of patience through my challenge.

"His First Love"

Every year on the Sunday before Valentine's Day, my Grammy Huffer would take out a little box from her purse that was filled with candy conversation hearts. The little ones that come in various colors, and have words written on them. I loved to read all the different phrases that were on the hearts. These were a special treat that she gave me, that grew into a tradition. It was a gesture that made me feel appreciated. This was a gift of love.

Likewise, God has a heart for us that overflows with unconditional love. He has chosen to give us the greatest expression of love that is absolutely immeasurable. “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4: 9-10).”

Even though we know this, it still seems inevitable to focus on the individuals who have difficulty accepting us. It is natural to feel rejected, persecuted, and struck down. However, the key to overcoming this is through love. “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us (1 John 4:12).” Loving others allows them to experience God's love and to better understand it ourselves.

I loved my Grammy very much, because she first loved me. This is how God loves us. He first loved us as His children. What words do you think God has written on your heart? Maybe it reads... accepted, chosen, creation, masterpiece, bold, forgiven. God will always have something to put on our heart. Remember this: “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).” Go ahead and take a look. What does your heart say?