As I have mentioned before, I have come to understand that there are two ways to learn; study and experience.

Many things in our life require some experience, after a time of study, to complete the knowledge we need. In life we go through experiences that are both pleasant and unpleasant. Human nature is such that we tend to enjoy the pleasant experiences and wonder why we have to go through the unpleasant ones even though the unpleasant experiences teach us valuable lessons.

As a child we were told by our parents not to touch the stove or iron. Most of us had to touch the stove, iron, or something that was hot before we learned that we could get burned if we played with fire. I can also remember standing up under the kitchen table and hitting my head which taught me to duck under something that was harder than my head. These may seem like elementary examples of common childhood experiences, but I have found that we are still hitting our head and getting burned in our adult lives.

Many of our painful adult experiences are not physical, but mental. Those experiences hurt as much as getting burned on the stove or hitting our head under the table and the time to recover can be much longer. The unpleasant childhood experiences taught us not to do that particular thing again, while many of the situations that cause us to experience the unpleasant consequences of mental anguish, we continue to do.

Could it be that we do not recognize those things that are hurting us? Are we slower to learn as we get older? Is there anything we can do to learn quicker from those unpleasant experiences in our life? Is it possible, that to advance and gain useful knowledge, we have to go through some painful times?

These and other life questions will be addressed Sunday morning as “The Gathering Place Family” meets in the Washington High School Library for Bible Study at 9:30 and in the gymnasium at 10 a.m. for our Pre-Service Connection where we enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Our Worship Service and Children’s Church then begins at 10:30. Come at 7 p.m. and be part of our Wednesday night Bible Study and Children’s Ministry on the third floor above Trends at 120 W. Court St. in Washington Court House.