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F.O.R.G.I.N.G. AHEAD
At a non-Seventh-day Adventist Southern California university, it is common knowledge that Professor S's classes are difficult. Unlike most professors, he does not provide review sessions for upcoming exams. However, one day, he told the class he would offer a four-hour review session on one condition: there must be 100% class attendance. Literally, the entire class screamed with excitement and started to ask each other, "We're all going. Right, guys?"
The professor went on to say he checked the school calendar and confirmed there were no scheduling conflicts. The review session was on Saturday from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. He then asked, “Who here cannot make it?” Sitting in the front, I hesitantly raised my hand just enough for him to see.
I heard whispers of shock and disappointment. “What is she doing?” “Oh no!”
With a “this-better-be-good” look, Professor S asked, "Why?"
I nervously replied, "I go to church."
He immediately replied, "Okay, you're excused. I will set up a private, one-on-one, four-hour review session with you. Who else?"
I was stunned and in complete disbelief at how easy it was for me to be excused.
At the beginning of my review session, I asked my professor why he excused me. He said, "You must be a Seventh-day Adventist." I learned he and his sister were raised by a single mother. Their neighbour was a Seventh-day Adventist who babysat them
for free as long as she could take them to church with her. This Adventist neighbour knew about FORGING ahead (Forward Onto Reflecting God's Image aNd Glory). She didn't know her FORGING ahead would help a college student exercise and strengthen her own faith decades later.
By God's grace, I look forward to thanking this neighbour in person someday.
By Sherry A. Yap, MBA Director of Foundation Accounting Loma Linda University Health | Financial Services
