Hurried with the day’s "to-do list," I was completing a business transaction when a voice nervously popped a question nearby, catching my attention. "Mr. Ortiz, are you an administrator?" I heard the voice ask. My first split-second reaction was, "I wonder what is wrong? Why does she want to know?" I looked up to see who this inquisitor was, and my eyes now read her body language. Instead of viewing an attitude problem, I saw timid reservation on this senior’s face as she asked my boss, "May I pray for you?"

Humbly, I began to reverse my thoughts. "You mean she doesn’t want anything?" Quite the opposite, she wasn’t taking; she was offering what to me is the most priceless gift. Looking back down, my ears were once again tuned into the sweet voice that offered, "Is there anything that you would like for me to pray about for you?" At this, my nose began to tingle, my eyes were freshly moistened, and my vision blurred a bit as my heart was touched with the tender concern of this young girl.

I don’t remember the words of the prayer, but I found myself glancing up once again as I heard her steps leave Mr. Ortiz' office. I witnessed a slightly reddened nervous face, blond hair flowing from the confident quick steps, and a joyful smile that couldn’t be held inside. I could tell from her face that I wasn’t the only one touched by this experience. I walked down the hall to wipe away my tears.

Upon returning to my work area, I looked to my left, and there I saw a silhouette of two girls praying with one another—doors propped open, leaves blowing in, people passing, all unnoticed by the two praying forms.

"Hallelujah!" I partly raised my arms, and with clenched hands said an emphatic, "YES!" I continued on to my destination, not sticking around to see the results on their faces, but I imagined the same picture all over again—slightly reddened nervous faces, confident quick steps, and joyful smiles that couldn’t be held inside.

Later I learned that the students had conducted these prayers for Perry Pollman’s Bible class assignment, but it still meant a lot to me. Instead of disappointment, my heart again resounded with joy at the thought that religion was made practical by a Bible teacher. I saw its results on the participants' faces, and I felt its power on myself as an observer.

Now that’s true education! Thanks, IA.

Rhonda Crumley is the business office assistant at Indiana Academy.