Dyslexia

As they are learning to read, some children struggle with letters that appear to be something different from what they are. To them the letter “b” looks like “d” so that when they come to the word “ball,” they read “dall.” Their brain actually sees it this way. They are not really wrong, they just can’t see it. The educators say this is natural until age eight or nine. A parent asks, how a six or seven year-old is supposed to read well with that going on. They are told the child just has to keep working on it. Parents should keep praising the child for his efforts, just say the word correctly but don’t labor the point. After all, the brain will sort it out when it “rewires” (at age eight or nine) and it usually all comes together just fine.

Changing our view of people

Let’s apply this idea to how we see our brothers and sisters. Sometimes we are awed by others in the faith, especially when we are young in our walk. We look up to them and may even see them as “giants,” as people to model ourselves after. Many times we retain this view of our fellow laborers, but sometimes our vision is changed by the controversies that often develop in ecclesial or personal relationships. The terms and feelings of respect we mentally kept for someone can be changed to disrespect – never uttered, hopefully, but felt and harbored. This change of perspective is not only harmful, it hurts – mostly the person whose view has been changed. The results can be painful and long-lasting, with serious repercussions if not handled correctly.

Our own vision has matured

But who changed? The formerly elevated brother or sister may have, true. It is more likely, however, that we have changed. Our perspective has matured and our understanding developed. In all likelihood, we are seeing the person as he really is. He likely hasn’t changed, but the way we see him has. It does not make him wrong or bad. It does mean we need to be careful who we elevate, “for there is only one who is good.”

We should also be careful that our love for the brother or sister hasn’t diminished. Our later perspective may actually be more correct, but we still must interact with him. We must never lose sight that he is still a member of the body of Christ and the family of God. Since we are all seeking adoption into that family, it is not up to us to rule someone else out.

Maintaining our love

Just as we struggle with our human nature, trying to keep our desires in subjection, so, too, is every other brother and sister of Christ. Since we are subject to the same temptations, we should remember our personal struggle before we allow our disappointment to turn our hearts against another. The brother or sister we thought was such a giant, may still be, or perhaps he never was. Yet at some point we were all “giants” of faith – on the day we committed our heart, soul, mind and life to serving God. We can again reach those moments when we look within ourselves and rely completely upon God, emptying ourselves of pride and giving God the place He deserves.

We should remember our sibling in Christ is a person who must be loved, even though we may see him differently from before. Remember, the Lord is not of limited vision; He has always seen us for what we are.