I teach high school Algebra and as we enter into testing season, I spend a lot of time teaching kids how to interpret graphs and dissect word problems. One of the things I repeat over and over is to pay attention to the backstory of the graph or word problem. By the time I receive them as freshmen, many have developed a very bad habit of skipping the backstory and just looking at the equation. That can be a huge issue when the wording is what really tells a story about what we are looking for. I end up having to un-train that bad habit all year long. Time and time again, we will go over a problem many students missed on a test and I will ask them, did you actually read it? Sadly, the answer is continuously a resounding “No”.

Backstories are not only important in Algebra problems, they are also vitally important in life. Each one of us has a backstory to tell. Whether it is the brokenness of the home we are raised in, the prejudices we have inherited from our families, or even something positive like being raised in a family who served others on a continuous basis, we all have a past that shapes who we are today. Some is a blessing, some tends to feel more like a curse. That backstory affects every part of our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. The backstories of those around us also play out in the way they treat us and others. Now, the things of our past should never be an excuse to mistreat others, however, if we become more aware of what those around us have experienced, we may learn to understand them better.

As a brand new teacher, I would get so frustrated at students who didn’t do their homework, showed up late to class constantly, or who maybe fell asleep in class. However, as time has gone one I have learned to find out a little more about what is causing those things. Sometimes those students have absolutely no reason to not do what is expected, sometimes they have a very good reason. Just as an example, I have found out that a student who is tardy nearly every day is running late because they (as a 15 year old girl) are responsible to not only get their 4 or 5 year old sister up and dressed, but also have to take them to school every day. I once had a Junior who would doze off during class, I found out that he worked every night until 10:30 and had a girlfriend that was going to be having a baby. Backstories are important. Now, I never let students use them as a crutch to not do work. I will, however, meet them in the middle and be more willing to work with them, if they are honest with me and put in the effort to make things right.

It needs to be the same with adults. Before we automatically judge the actions of others, we ought to find out the reasons for those actions. Whether it is our boss requiring something new of us, a coworker who didn’t get done what they said they would do, or someone coming across as rude in line at the grocery store, would it really hurt to ask the reason why something happened before making a snap judgement? One of the hardest things to do when dealing with a difficult person or situation is to continue to love them through it. This can be especially true when we don’t agree with that person even after finding out the backstory. However, we are commanded to love no matter what.

Sincere love can be incredibly difficult when the other person is not exactly lovable. My prayer is that you, and I, will learn how to love those people and show them the kind of honor that will draw them to the cross.