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An Ode to Math, Leisure, and God

October 19, 2022 2 min read
By Alexander Mains Instructor of Mathematics, University of Mary
Math problems

A math mystery;
   No one able to solve it.

My mind stuck;
   I’m unable to solve it.


Try this and try that;
   Still stuck as before.


Sit still and breathe;
   The mystery doesn’t budge.


Read what others already know;
   Lean on what I already know.


The knowledge known brings up
   The same math mystery; stuck.


Eat lunch and do chores;
   Listen to music – a new perspective hits!


Sit down and write;
   The math mystery is budging.


Juggle ideas – those that support;
   Those that contradict.


Write some more and –
   Mystery solved!


The answer was waiting;
   I just needed to change my perspective.


Joy, relief,
   And then more questions arise.
   Math mysteries for another time.


This is leisure.

 

 

A tragedy;
   No one able to make sense of it.


God, why would You allow this?
   I’m unable to make sense of it.


Justify this and counteract that;
   God, why would You allow this?


Sit still, breathe, pray; God, if You’re good,
   Why would You allow this?


Read the Word, listen to others;
   God, I know You’re good.


The mystery remains;
   God, why would You allow this?


Eat lunch and do chores;
   Life goes on – a new perspective hits!


Sit down in awe;
   God, You are doing something in me.


Juggle ideas – those that support;
   Those that contradict.


Pray some more and –
   God, I see what You want me to see.


God, You never left me; You remain unchanged.
   I just needed to change my perspective.


Joy, worship,
   And questions remain.
   Answers God may provide for another day.


This is knowing God more.

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