A child’s answer to prayer (from my journal dated June 1998): My son Aaron is five years old and he’s been going to school full-time for about six months now. He is a real boy, in the sense that his legs are always covered in bruises, his knees are nearly always muddy and he finds it very difficult to sit quietly and be still.

The other day in class all the children were gathered around the teacher, sat with their arms and legs folded whilst she read them a story. Aaron was told off twice for tickling the boy who was sat in front of him. On his third offence the teacher warned him that if he did it again he would have to go and stand in the corner until he could behave. Aaron apologised saying, “I’m sorry Ms. Challinor, I can’t help it; I think my fingers have got a mind of their own.” Ms. Challinor, biting her lip so she wouldn’t smile, issued her last warning and carried on with the story once more. Aaron must have seen or sensed the repressed half smile and so, pushing his luck, he tickled his little friend again. The resultant giggles had Aaron firmly sent to stand over in the corner!

Realising and regretting his error of judgment, Aaron’s eyebrows furrowed together as he stomped off to suffer his sentence. Meanwhile, Ms. Challinor and the rest of the class continued with the story. After a minute or two she glanced over to check on Aaron and was literally dumb-struck to see him stood in the corner, hands clasped together in front of him, eyes closed and his lips moving in silent prayer. Somewhat taken aback, Ms. Challinor smiled inwardly and called over to him, “I hope you’re asking God to keep your hands still, Aaron.” In response Aaron opened one eye, (he has recently learned how to wink) and still with his hands together replied, “Well, actually Ms. Challinor, I was asking God to make you forgive me and forget about what I’ve done so that I can come back and listen to the rest of the story.”

His teacher caved in, smiled warmly and with a wave, she beckoned him to come back and join the others again.

R. Ian Seymour