I ENTERED SECONDARY SCHOOL with an apathy for Mathematics. This was because, right from primary school, there was a widespread notion among children that Arithmetic was a very difficult subject. So, very many kids believed that since it was “a difficult subject”, there was no use bothering one’s self too much about it. Of course, we were so young and had no idea about the West African Examination Council’s(WAEC) requirements in the future.
🧮The truth, however, is that the approach of many primary school teachers in teaching Arithmetic in those days was to some extent faulty. If you didn’t get the end result of an arithmetical
sum, you were marked “Fail”.
🧮When we got into secondary school, it was the same pattern. Infact, a Sister told me that in her school, their Mathematics master always came to class with a cain. If you didn’t understand the lesson, he would angrily give you a stroke of the cain!
How would students cherish his subject?
🧮Let’s fast forward to my fourth year in secondary school.
🧮A young British lady by name Miss Stent was posted to our school. She taught Mathematics and Chemistry. Unlike most Nigerian Mathematics teachers, she taught Mathematics with patience. More importantly, she marked students’ test and exam scripts diligently and with attention to details. She wouldn’t go straight to your total. No. She would read each answer patiently from the beginning; carefully going down to the point where you totalled your work. You would earn marks for every level of the mathematical calculations where you were right; even if your total was wrong. In other words, she carefully followed your every step through the labyrinth of numbers and mathematical signs until the point where you lost your way and came up with an incongruous answer that made no sense.
🧮Instead of calling the whole work nonsense, she rewarded your sojourn through the maze of digits and equations with your deserved marks!
🧮Do you know what happened? Because of her humane approach, almost everyone in our class picked up new interest in mathematics. And why not? Because with Miss Stent, your little efforts weren’t met with criticism, disapproval and a stroke of the cain on your back or a rude knock on the head. She was fair: she gave students marks for the aspects of their calculative efforts where they were right.
🧮Like pupils, each spouse comes into marriage with a combination strengths and weaknesses.
🧮Some are strong in almost all the matrimonial “subjects” while their partner may be poor in most.
🧮Applied to marriage, our anchor scripture exhorts the stronger partner
to help the weaker mate.
God’s Word also tells us in Romans: “We then that are STRONG ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please ourselves.”(Romans 15:1). And that’s what marriage is all about: put your ability and strength
at the disposal of your mate instead of reproaching them over their weaknesses.
🧮Like Miss Stent, do not focus your attention on where your Spouse has missed it. Look at the fuller picture of their living with you; and compliment, praise and appreciate them for all the good things they do in the home, marriage and family.
🧮When you are always critical and disapproving of your mate, you cause him or her not to function optimally around you. On the other hand, praise and approval motivate your Spouse and help them to do better, just as Miss Stent’s method of marking mathematics exams inspired many of our students to become very good in the subject.
🧮Sir/Ma, what matrimonial “subjects” is your mate’s performance nothing to write home about and for which you have been “flogging” them mercilessly? Please, it’s time to stop the flogging.
🧮From now on, be compassionate in your dealings with your mate over their failings. Make it your goal to help them get better and better by the day; and over time they will.
✝️JESUS CHRIST IS CALLING YOU TODAY.
COME TO HIM AND BE SAVED