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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
April 2002 |
My Witness:
The legend of Billy Bass
By Brent Williams
Surely, you have seen him on TV or in stores, a plastic fish of the bass variety (large mouth, of course), mounted on a board, with a propensity to sing whenever a person is near.
Billy made his appearance in my life at a Christmas, white elephant party a couple of years ago. The party was the season gathering of our conference office staff.
I have a guess that one of our office personnel was having trouble thinking of an appropriate gift to put in the white elephant selection and asked her/his spouse what might be around the house that they could do without. Or perhaps, one of our office personnel had purchased it for his/her spouse and had second thoughts.
Anyway, Billy arrived in my hands at our office party and, as it goes with white elephant gifts, stayed with me for several rounds … until one of our staff came to my rescue. Whew! At least I did not have to take him home and listen to him for the rest of the holidays.
On New Year's Day, my team was losing and I wanted to get a jump-start on voicemail and e-mail while Kathy was napping. As expected, there was no one at the office, or so I thought. I entered my office and as I sat at my desk, I heard this loud noise coming from under my desk.
I immediately recognized Billy's distinctive, melodious voice. Then he stopped singing. As I got down off my desk, Billy immediately began singing the second song. I, of course, reached down and shut off the noise by flipping the switch on the back.
Since that day, Billy has appeared in a variety of places in our office. Under new employees' desks, in cabinets and closets and, my favorite, on the back of the lavatory in the men's room.
Billy Bass has been used to let us know that our co-workers care about us, to remind us of the surprises in life, the inconveniences, the fun of living and working together and to cheer us. I have yet to see someone come in contact with Billy and not smile, although some have tried not to smile or laugh.
Who in your faith life has been your constant reminder of the surprises, enjoyment, care, challenges and fun of our common life together with Christ? It could be a family member who can't be fooled by all of your excuses and confronts you. It could be a person with whom you work that irritates you, for whatever reason. It could be that person at church that always seeks you out on Sunday and shakes your hand and you can't even remember his or her name. It might be the person that always knows when you need a little lift and sends the perfect card. It might be a pastor who has been used by God to speak to you. It might be the person that you identify as creating a great challenge in your life. It might even be Christ, Himself.
Why not thank her or him with a call, note or gift?
Brent Williams is the director of finance and administration for the North Indiana Conference.
Last updated on 01/14/2004