Little Johnny

Little Johnny

Through the years I would often give illustrations which included telling a story about “Little Johnny.”  The name could have been Sam, Joe, or any other name, but I usually simply used Johnny as the generic character in my stories.

Early in my pastorate at the Eloise Church in Winter Haven I told such a story about “Little Johnny who was not very bright.”  As I made that statement my eyes met with the eyes of Johnny Brooks who didn’t look very happy.  In fact, some would call Johnny the church boss.  Johnny had been in that church all his life and even at age fifty-two was serving as the youth director.  Both at the church and in the community he worked with the children and youth and was looked up to by many.  When I was giving my illustration about “little Johnny who was not very bright” those youth sitting around him in the service all looked at him and laughed.

Of course, I immediately knew that I had chosen the wrong name to use in the illustration, so I said, “It was not our Johnny, but another one!”  I never felt that he really ever forgave me.