{"id":994,"date":"2013-07-12T16:45:13","date_gmt":"2013-07-12T16:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kandynolesstevens.com\/?p=980"},"modified":"2013-07-12T16:45:13","modified_gmt":"2013-07-12T16:45:13","slug":"its-just-a-number","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/?p=994","title":{"rendered":"It’s just a number"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"kurtis\"<\/a>I had the pleasure of having breakfast with my almost ten-year-old nephew this morning.\u00a0 In a houseful of people gearing up for a family vacation\/reunion,\u00a0a quiet conversation\u00a0is rare.\u00a0 I\u2019m so glad it happened.\u00a0 After exchanging pleasantries of \u201cHow did you sleep?\u201d and \u201cHow did you NOT hear that storm\u201d, my sweet boy revealed where his heart is at today.<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0ever experience\u00a0quiet moments, you will \u201chear\u201d much about a person\u2019s heart, and at the very least, those things troubling their mind.\u00a0 So it was at Grandma\u2019s table today.\u00a0 In between bites of banana bread, K explained that he was sad that he was in a level of swimming lessons below where he and his momma thought he should be.<\/p>\n

What a precious moment for an auntie!\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe in coincidences, but I do believe that God orchestrates the timing of where I need to be when I need to be there.\u00a0 Today was proof positive.\u00a0 I shared that I never finished swimming lessons at his age because I hated getting my face in the water. \u00a0My husband shared that I still hate it\u00a0which is why I use a snorkel all the time.\u00a0 I can swim for miles with my adaptation. \u00a0I also told K that no matter what level becoming a strong swimmer is important (because it could one day save his life).<\/p>\n

But this is where the conversation changed . . . as a teacher I have seen so much emphasis placed on numbers that I think it has filtered over into everything that our children do.\u00a0 Scratch that, numbers have become a filter in how we all see life.<\/p>\n

Warning \u2013 this is a soapbox issue for me!\u00a0 Hear me roar!<\/p>\n

To the student who didn\u2019t score as well on the test:<\/b> That number written on that paper or\u00a0letter from the standardized test company doesn\u2019t define who you are.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t define your future \u2013 no matter what anybody says.\u00a0 It may prevent you from attending certain universities, but given today\u2019s economic climate, it might not. Even if it does, bloom where you land anyways.\u00a0 Remember it is you, and not the university, that is the product of which to be proud. \u00a0I don\u2019t know a single adult my age that goes around spouting their test scores, because frankly, nobody cares because that number isn’t what makes you successful.\u00a0 It\u2019s just a number<\/i><\/b>.<\/p>\n

To the kid who works hard every day to practice, but doesn\u2019t score the winning shot\/goal\/touchdown<\/b>: \u00a0The information recorded in the books is just a number.\u00a0 What you do matters.\u00a0 The old saying is true.\u00a0 There is no \u201cI\u201d in TEAM.\u00a0 Every member of a team is important.\u00a0To me, numbers of assists always tell me more about your willingness to be a part of a team. I know it might not feel that way, but the skills (persistence, dedication, loyalty, perseverance) you learn from being a part of group are far more critical to your future development that what is written in the scorebook.\u00a0 It\u2019s just a number<\/i><\/b>.<\/p>\n

To women everywhere who worry about the scale:<\/b> \u00a0With tears in my eyes, I am telling you unless you need that thing for medical purposes, go right now and THROW it out.\u00a0 I have so many friends that talk about losing those extra 10, 20, or 50 pounds.\u00a0 If you want to do that for you or your health, go for it!\u00a0 But if your motivation is because someone else\u2019s definition of beauty doesn\u2019t include those extra pounds, it is all rubbish! I am going to be honest with you.\u00a0 Your size matters much less than the character of your heart.\u00a0 Sometimes, I wish I could remove my eyes just so you could see what I see when I see you.\u00a0 I think you would be shocked if you did. All you would see is beauty!\u00a0 It\u2019s just a number<\/i><\/b>.<\/p>\n

To those who focus on the calendar age<\/b>:\u00a0 If you had nothing left to contribute, God would have taken you home already.\u00a0 There is a reason for your being here.\u00a0 I know you may not be as spry as you once were, but I am not looking for spry.\u00a0 I like many other women are looking for mentors to love us, to remind us of God\u2019s truth and promises,\u00a0 and to share with us your life (including mistakes and wrinkles).\u00a0 That matters!\u00a0 Even if the world standard is newer, faster, or stronger, I have found more quiet strength in sitting hand-in-hand with eighty and ninety year olds than anyone could ever imagine.\u00a0 Age – It\u2019s just a number<\/i><\/b>.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t give my little nephew the full brunt of this rant, but I did ask him three questions.<\/p>\n