The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Taking Mr. Grumpenstein to School

In a little college town, there lived a guy named Dave. Dave was your typical junior in college – juggling assignments, pulling all-nighters, and surviving on a diet of Red Bull and instant noodles.

Dave was a smart guy who loved learning, and his faith played a central role in his life. He was determined to do well in his classes and, more importantly, to be a shining example of a good Christian man. He held the tensions very well.

Now, there was one professor, Dr. Grumpenstein, known for being grumpy. Dave had a feeling that Dr. Grumpenstein was trying to sabotage his coursework. Missing assignments, mysteriously misplaced essays, and disappearing extra credit opportunities all pointed to foul play. In class, Grumpenstein would use Dave as a villainous example in a plot to embarrass him. Dave couldn’t stand idly by; he nervously and cautiously confronted this injustice. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he went right in with both ‘guns a blazin’, the not-so-good Dr. could inflame the situation, and if he let old Dr. Bad Attitude get away with it may cost him a scholarship and undo pressure from the parents.

One day, Dave decided to act. He decided to call out Dr. Grumpenstein, not with anger or frustration, but with humor and tact. After all, he was a Christian man with a sense of humor, so why not use them both? So, during one of Dr. Grumpenstein’s lectures, Dave politely raised his hand and asked, “Dr. Grumpenstein, have you ever considered that maybe I have a guardian angel dedicated to ‘borrowing’ my assignments to save me from procrastination?” Being a bit of a risky play, the class burst into laughter, and even Dr. Grumpenstein had to crack a smile. Alas, a chink in the crusty exterior!

Dr. Grumpenstein couldn’t help but laugh. The ice had been broken, and it was time to address the situation. Dave used humor to confront his professor, showing that obstacles wouldn’t deter him. He held Dr. Grumpenstein accountable but did it with a heart full of forgiveness and grace. With the new perspective, Dave’s approach was so refreshing that his professor stopped sabotaging his coursework and began to see Dave in a new light. As for Dave, he continued to shine academically, thanks to his humor and his willingness to hold the professor accountable. His faith had helped him navigate this challenging situation gracefully, and he learned that sometimes, a good laugh can change the course of a grumpy professor’s heart.

Ultimately, Dave’s divine showdown with Dr. Grumpenstein became a legendary story at the Christian college. It was proof that, with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of faith, even the toughest challenges can be turned into remarkable adventures on becoming a good Christian man.

Dave rose to the occasion. Good men usually do.

Will you?

Be a mentor.

Find a mentor.

Be a better man.

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