Healthy Humiliation

I took a test this morning. It was pretty short and I was confident that I knew the information. Usually, I like to take my time on exams and I'm one of the last students to finish, but today was a "takin'-care-of-business" kind of day.

My test was completed in less than 30 minutes. I was excited about leaving to go study at the library. I turned in my test,went back to my seat, and began to pack up my things when I heard my professor's voice.

"Elizabeth."
I looked back and saw his eyes making direct contact with mine. He made a beckoning motion with his two fingers. I walked back thinking, "What did I do wrong?"

He pointed to a question.
"Do you want another chance to read the question?" The question asked to explain two things and I only explained one. My front teeth bit my bottom lip as I slowly nodded my head.

So, I took my test back to my seat, wrote out the second explanation and brought it back to my professor.
"Thank you........................  'Lizbeth........"  (as I was about to head out the door).

"Now.... do you want another chance to read this question?"
"Does that mean I get another chance to answer it?"
"Yes."
"Okay... thank you." Back to my seat again. I wrote a different answer and brought it back to him.

He smirked as he looked at my, apparently, wrong answer.
"Is it wrong?"
"That's a different body part.... go back.... just clear your mind."

So.... back to my seat. AGAIN.
My friend next to me starts scoffing and shaking her head.
My professor took the liberty to say out loud to the whole class, "Make sure to read the question I'm asking. If I asked you 'How's the weather outside?', you wouldn't tell me 'It's cold in this classroom.'"

After much deliberation, my answer was deemed acceptable. Finally.

You have to understand, this professor wasn't trying to humiliate me. His mannerisms through the whole situation was saying this: "I know you understand. I want to help you." It was delightfully humiliating.


My Heavenly Father does the same thing.

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5/3/2011

I got the test back today.
Made a perfect score.
My professor is awesome.