The Lord Acts in Strange Ways
(A Professor's Prayer is Unexpectedly Answered)
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Billy Craig sat just across the aisle from me in a freshman economics class in Potter College, the oldest building on the Western campus. He was a big boy--the football type--but since he was not in training at the time he was somewhat overweight.

Professor Taft, our teacher, though apparently well versed in his subject, was certainly not a dynamic or even interesting lecturer. In fact, we all thought he was dull and boring. And I feel sure our negative attitude toward him was both obvious and irritating to Professor Taft.

This particular day, Billy was slouched down in his seat--a movable wooden armchair--and almost, if not fully asleep. To make matters worse, his large feet were hanging over the back of the empty chair ahead of him, and even though he was not snoring, he certainly was not paying any attention to Mr. Taft's oft-repeated lecture on either "supply and demand" or "the point of diminishing returns." (I know it must have been one of these two topics, because they are the only ones I can remember his ever talking about.)

Finally, when Mr. Taft could stand it no longer, he blurted out directly at Billy, "Billy Craig, your insolent behavior is disgraceful--inexcusable. Sometimes I wish the good Lord would strike you dead, or at least do something to straighten you out!"

For an instant, there was dead silence. The students still awake were shocked at what the teacher had just said, but still they understood and sympathized with his exasperation. Those asleep, probably including Billy, continued their sleeping peacefully.

But then it happened--an unexpected answer to Mr. Taft's prayer. Without warning, a large slab of loose plaster on the ceiling directly over Billy's chair fell on his head with a crash, knocking him abruptly to the floor. The noise of it all was thunderous, and the resulting plaster dust filled the room.

A little groggy but able to move under his own power, Billy slowly sat up and stared blankly at the professor who was now hovering over him and asking if he was hurt. When convinced that Billy's injury was not serious, Mr. Taft said wryly with a twinkled eye, "I had no idea my prayers were ever heard, must less, answered. Praise the Lord!"

Not to be outdone, Billy countered with a comment shared by us all, "I don't know what hit me, but I must say this is the only interesting thing that has happened in this class all semester."

At the next meeting of the economics class, I noticed that not only Billy but also all the other students, including me, sat straight in their chairs with feet flat on the floor.

Chester C. Travelstead

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