8: An EXTRA Semicolon

An extra semicolon is all it took to mess up my code

Yesterday I finally completed a page of coding for my Computer Science class.  We were learning about Javascript so I was trying to add Javascript into my code.  The goal was to make a pizza order form depicting the size of the pizza as well as the topping choices with an image of the pizza that would adjust depending on the choices that were selected.  I had been working on this particular assignment for over two weeks and just couldn't get to work correctly.  Finally, the due date was getting near and I decided to just go ask the professor for help.  After all, the professor is all-knowing (at least in my assignment) and I was sure he could help me sort out the problem.

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that going to see a professor for help intimidated me and always has.  I was worried that I would be seen as a fool because maybe the problem was just a simple little mistake that nobody would ever make.  But seeing as I could not solve the problem on my own, I needed some help.  Well, walking into his office, he was just the happiest guy ever.  He did make me feel dumb or stupid for needing help with my little coding assignment.  He sat down and went through all that I've done to try to find what was throwing my code off.  After a couple hours (yes, it did take this long)  he finally said, "A-ha!"  I got so excited and I could only hope that my problem was solved forever (at least for this assignment).  He showed me the problem and believe it or not, I had inserted an extra semi-colon at the end of one of the lines.  Yes, a SEMICOLON.


It seemed so dumb that a little thing like an extra semicolon could throw everything out of whack and I was kinda annoyed by that.  But really, this is just a simple metaphor of life.  This extra semicolon is exactly related to the mistakes we make in our life, and while it is still there, we can't move on in our life.  We may feel dumb for making this little mistake and sometimes it takes more than just ourselves to make it right.  My professor is like the bishop who, despite my worries and insecurities, made me feel welcome willingly helped me sort out my problem.  Now why didn't I just go into the professor earlier instead of mulling over my assignment for two weeks?!  If I sought help earlier, then I could have moved on to my other assignments.  I know we make mistakes and I know that it is best to repent, to make it right, and move on because there's no way we can continue to grow with mistakes hanging over our shoulder.  I'm so grateful for the mercy God has given me to repent and try to become a little better every single day.