Lucky Me

       Children are pleading for my attention, dinner preparations are stalled, I'm staring at the computer screen with my head in my hands as I realize there's another page of 7 more questions to complete for my homework that's due in 20 minutes. But my class starts in 15 minutes and at this time in the evening, it usually takes me that long to drive there. Then add another 7 minutes to walk from the parking lot to my classroom. It's the second week of classes and already I'm toast. This is how I spell "S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D  O-U-T".
       Plus, it's raining out.
       So I fumble through the homework questions as best as I can, stuff the textbook into my backpack, throw on a sweatshirt and head out the door, grumbling all the way. In my mind I could hear a calmer, more optimistic me trying to reason with myself.
       "Okay, so you're late to class. At least you got the homework done. Feeling angry or discouraged isn't going to get you to class any earlier. In fact, it'll make things worse. So keep your chin up. Have faith." But if anyone had been in the passenger's seat, they'd have heard me ranting, "I can't do this! At least, I can't do it well. And what's the point in doing a job if you can't do it right? Huh?"
       I was grateful for the commute to have some time to cool off. By the time I arrived on campus, I'd almost convinced myself to have a better attitude. It wasn't even drizzling anymore, so I didn't need the umbrella to make it up the hill. I walked along the sidewalk and after scowling for a bit decided to make a conscious effort to acknowledge those that passed me with smile. I managed a kind of weary, half-smile, which I'm not sure wasn't worse than the scowling.
       But then I noticed some acorns littering the sidewalk. I couldn't tell you why exactly they caught my attention. Only that Autumn is my favorite time of year and since I was a child I've felt an affinity for these little nutty nodules. I stooped to pick one up, rolled it between my fingers, held it gingerly in my pocket as I continued on.
       What if it's a magic acorn?
       I don't know where the thought came from, but it brought a sort of hopeful, comforting feeling, so I let it linger.
       This acorn will bring you luck. Just watch and see. Something unexpected will happen. I smiled to myself, thinking how "lucky" it would be to find out that my professor was also late that day. Maybe I hadn't already missed the first 15 minutes of the lecture.  I ascended the last flight of stairs and braced myself as I opened the door to my classroom. And the most amazing thing happened. The first thing I noticed was music was playing. (The Beatles, "Hey, Jude" to be exact.) The students all seemed in a relaxed state, situating themselves into their seats, chatting with one another. And my teacher was shuffling back and forth at the front of the room, making final preparations to begin the lecture. With a furrowed brow, I asked a student on the row behind me, "Doesn't class start at 5:30?"
       "Naw. We start at 6."
       "Wow. I thought I was 15 minutes late."
       "Nope. Looks like today is your lucky day!"
       Looks like it.
       I really enjoyed the lecture. Not that I understood all of it. The concepts were a bit much to wrap my head around. But I felt reassured when the professor indicated that this lecture contained some of the most difficult material of the semester and if we felt lost or overwhelmed than that was to be expected.
       After class, walking back to the car, I felt lighter, rejuvenated. And a phrase came into my mind. ". . . but be believing." You can find these words both in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon. Here's the rest from one reference, Mormon 9:27.
       "O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart. . ."
       I reached into my pocket and fingered the acorn again.
       Yes, I do believe in magic. I call it "miracles".