Yes, Sometime it is Best to Have no Answers

It was so embarrassing. I stood behind my little group of students and helped them work through the lesson, but the computer kept telling us time and again that their answers were wrong. The students, stuck on a never-ending assignment about chemical change and conservation of mass, should have been frustrated with me. Instead, they just kept going.

The sweat on my palms grew as I googled and learned and finally figured out the fine points well-enough so that those kids could finally move on. 

Ouch. It felt like an epic teacher fail. Or, at least it did, until the next day when they were so excited to begin again-same computer program, different concept. I pondered it as we worked through the questions and challenges (I was more helpful this time) and realized that something about my students had changed. They were working hard, not complaining, and entirely relaxed. Why?

And then it hit me--they were finally having fun and learning and pushing against the challenges because it was okay not to have all the answers. 

Oh. My. Goodness.....YES!

Doesn't that feel great? When you are at peace to just forge ahead, and work and not be expected to have all the answers? Just one foot in front of the other. 

I was running on my treadmill the other day and listened to the story of Noah. I don't know exactly which part caught my ear, but suddenly I realized that Noah did hard, back-breaking work and yet had very few answers. He didn't know how all the animals would make it on board (God sent them into the ark when it was time). He didn't know when it would rain. He didn't know what the experience would be like our what his life would entail after the flood. 

Noah just worked. 

My friend, I need to do a little more relaxing in God's answers and less relying on my own scheming and worrying to get me through these days. I'm heading into so much new territory as I start my life coaching business, parent a pre-teen, and navigate all the unexpected aspects of home/work/farm/family. 

One foot in front of the other. 

I don't have all the answers. And, maybe it is better this way. Maybe I can smile and work hard, laugh and keep learning. 

And rest in the One who doesn't change. 
​

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
​Hebrews 13:8, NLT

In what area of your life do you feel like you don't have all the answers, but just need to put one foot in front of the other?