Yesterday at FHU I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Woods. A few weeks ago we received our mid-term tests back. I had a respectable grade of 92. As I was passing the test back in, I made a little comment of, “Dr. Woods, this is funny that the question I felt I knew the best was the one I did the poorest on.” The teacher asked if I would like him to look at it again. I said “no” because when you are about to graduate a few points does not make that much difference. Yesterday though, Dr. Woods mentioned my test again. He said that he changed the grade because he marked it poorly because of the terrible writing and misspellings in the answer. He said that “you hand cannot keep up with your brain.” I thought this was a classy act. For those of you who know me, I have difficulty writing sometimes. It seems that I am always misspelling a word or using the wrong word in a sentence. In elementary and High School, I was labeled a slow learner because of this difficulty. I was placed in the slow classes and had to attend resource because of this problem. This created self-esteem problems and a defeatist attitude towards school. In these schools I was given a label of “slow” but Dr. Woods labeled me as “smart.” I remember a few years back listening to Jack Welch’s autobiography in which he told the story about having a stutter. His mother did not label him as slow but informed him he was too smart for his mouth to keep up with him. Welch mentions this as a defining moment in life. In fact, Dr. Woods increased my grade because he realized that I had a good grasp on the material, but the presentation was poor. The way Dr. Woods treated me is the way I would like to treat others. Instead of making people feel bad about their weaknesses, inspire them with their strengths.
Related posts:
- Started Back to Class
- Back to FHU for a Summer Class
- Proof-Wording in Hermenuetics Class
- Doing the D.Min Class Again
- Excited About D.Min Class
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About The Author
Matthew is originally from Nova Scotia, Canada. He has a beautiful wife named Charity and a precious baby named Gabrielle. He has graduated from the Brown Trail School of Preaching, Heritage Christian University with his Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies, Lipscomb University with his Master’s of Arts in Biblical Studies and his Master’s of Divinity at Freed-Hardeman University. He is presently working towards his Doctorate of Ministry at Harding Graduate School of Religion. His articles have appeared in the World Evangelist, the Highway to Holiness, The West Virginia Christian, The Christian Echo, The Firm Foundation, Church Growth, and the Gospel Advocate. He enjoys hockey, golf, boxing, and chess. In his spare time he enjoys reading numerous genres of books. Also, he is working on climbing all of the 14ers in Colorado. Matthew is the Pulpit Minister for the Castle Rock church of Christ.
As one of your students I always appreciate the manner you treat the congregation. Thank You
I believe this is because your “southern” writing skills have not caught up to(or slowed down to) the level of your “southern” verbal skills. You have been here at Waynesboro just long enough to slow down a little. You just need more time here to finish your “southern” skill set.
I don’t know how to do it, but put a cute smiley face here. Keep up the good work.
Your friend
Alan
Matt,
If it matters, nothing in your blog writings has ever indicated that you have to work harder than others at writing. Couple that with the fact that you are about to receive a Master’s of Divinity degree and… So much for labels!
I too had to take some “resource” classes. I had an 8th grade teacher literally tell my mother that I was just not born the brightest bulb on the planet. In a highschool graduating class, I was third from the last in terms of academic rank. But here I am in 2008 with a Master’s of Divinity degree to my name. Who would have ever thought…
I hate labels and wish they would disappear. My wife is a special education teacher and I know there are some students who truly need her services. But far too many students seem to fulfill the prophesy made about them by the labels society gives them.
I am reminded of the label ‘sinner’ that Simon and the Pharisees gave to the woman at Simon’s house (Luke 7). Jesus refused to accept her label and instead, by showing her grace, restored her dignity as a human being created by the living God.
Rex
BTW… Both my mother and father refused to accept the labels placed on me and when I decided that I wanted to go to college, they believed in me 100%. I am forever greatful for their love and support.
Rex
Great comments everyone, and Alan you are right that my southern has certainly improved, even to the point that when I am in Canada most people people I am a southerner. Rex, you are right, the labels can be destructive in life. A label can be very powerful. My whole label changed when I was labeled Christian.
Matthew said, “My whole label changed when I was labeled Christian.”
AMEN!!!
I have always struggled with learning difficulties in life.
I repeat an earlier comment here, I have never noticed any spelling errors on your blog. Plus you have obviously done well in your schooling (preaching school, BA, MA, about to get your MDIV). Good for you! God bless!
This is a great illustration and the comments really help to expand its application to all of us. L8ly Iv mspeld lots due 2 txt msgng.