It happened several years ago. The Associational Children’s Camp leaders asked me to preach at children’s camp. It was one of the greatest honors of my life.
I tried to imagine a bunch of children listening to me preach. I could picture them sound asleep with their heads back and a little Falls Creek drool in the corners of their mouths. So, I decided I needed to add something to spice things up for those rascals.
Here’s what I came up with. One, we would have a dance contest. That wasn’t such a good decision. For decades Baptists haven’t danced because Baptists just can’t dance. That lack of dancing ability has filtered down through the generations. Poor little, non-dancing Baptist kids. Two, I would arrange for a visit from Big Foot (I did. It was epic). And three, I would bring hundreds of “finger rockets” (600 Styrofoam rockets propelled by big rubber bands) to give to the kids.
So that Sunday evening, which was my first opportunity to be on the platform, I brought a box full of finger rockets and began to shoot them into the crowd. The kids went bonkers. Everybody was screaming for one. That’s when I did it.
If you know me at all, you know I am capable of spontaneous decisions that I would never do if I thought them out. But thinking things out is not necessarily my strong point. So, here’s what I did. As the kids in the tabernacle continued to clamor for finger rockets, I told them if they saw me tomorrow on the golf cart and they called me “Handsome Joe,” I would give them a finger rocket. The next day and for the remainder of children’s camp, wherever I went, kids literally ran after me, yelling, “Handsome Joe!”
I know the question is: “Why would you do that?” My answer is “I don’t know.” I didn’t plan it. No one suggested it. I just did it. It just sort of popped into my mind and shot out of my mouth before I thought about it.
Of course I hear the question “Why would you do that?” a lot from my wife about a lot of things. And my response is almost always, “I don’t know.” Although “I don’t know” frustrates her, it is usually the truth. If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have done whatever it was that I did.
I had a blast at children’s camp at Falls Creek that year. I gave away about 600 finger rockets. Later that fall, I was asked to perform an outdoor wedding on a cliff between Duncan and Velma. Cliffs in wedding ceremonies can keep people from backing out.
Anyway, we got the ceremony done. I said the two were husband and wife. They kissed a little bit and everybody was happy. I stepped aside from where the wedding took place and began to fill out the obligatory paperwork when it happened.
A lady and a little girl started walking towards me. Although I wasn’t sure, it looked like a grandmother and granddaughter duo. When they got to me the lady asked for permission to ask me a question. I figured she had a Bible question, but here’s what she asked: “Are you Handsome Joe?”
I didn’t know if she was commenting on my rugged good looks or whether they had been at Falls Creek during children’s camp that summer. OK, I knew they must have been at Falls Creek. But I did have a moment of expanded ego before reality brought me back to earth. My answer to the lady’s question: “I guess I sort of am…” The lady had a most unusual look on her face as they walked away.
Here are a couple of things I learned. One, be careful giving yourself a nickname. Those things have a longer shelf life than you think. Two, if at all possible think a little longer before you blurt something out. Three, finger rockets are great. You should get you some. And, four, if you are a long time Baptist and you get invited to a dance, it may be better for everyone if you act like you have pulled a hamstring and don’t try dancing.
