Only a Step Away

Going back to college after you've turned 40 isn't easy. Taking 18 hours your first semester is probably insane. But seeing your first "A" is priceless. Even if it was just a homework grade.

In high school I was never good at math. I didn't understand it, I didn't see the point in replacing numbers with letters and then trying to figure out why A+B=C. Why not just say 8+3=11...it seems much more to the point. And fractions? I knew enough to be able to measure out 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tbls. of sugar to make the mixture for cinnamon toast.

As the instructor handed back last week's homework, she smiled at me and said "Very good, but I'm glad you weren't dealing with real money." I looked down at the grade and saw a 99% "A" written across the top of the first page.

I quickly started thumbing through the sheets looking for my one wrong answer. When I found it, I understand what Ms. Byers had been referring to by her statement. I had made a simple addition error...had carried the one to the next column, but then forgot to add it in. Instead of an answer of $35,067...I had $25,067. The mistake was a small one, and it was so close. Just one number off. A 2 instead of a 3. But what a difference it made!

You may be really close...just one small step away from where you need to be in your walk with God, but just like that one tiny mistake caused the math problem to be $10,000 off the mark, one small step away from Christ can feel like a mile. Turn around and make that step back and know that he'll be right there waiting.