A few years ago, someone wanted to buy Anthony Sacramone’s old bookcases and gave praise to the universe for the opportunity. He bit his tongue in order to avoid saying something like:

“You put it out to the universe? The universe is concerned that your shelving needs are met? Do Neptune and Pluto fret over your interior design? Does Alpha Centauri pine for our pine? Does some kamikaze comet threaten cosmic doom if a couple of 84” bookcases do not materialize with relative alacrity?

… Does the Universe ever feel iffy? Does it ever sit on the fence? Ever put a request out there and get a big fat maybe?”

We can read what Anthony might have said in First Things.