Parable Billy Dale

By: Dr. Greg Quakenbush, Geissler Corp., & Dr. Doug Ford, Production Animal Consultation

My dad grew up in a small rural town in southeastern Colorado. His parents farmed, ran a handyman business, and owned the local telephone company. Dad was one in a class of twelve, when he chose to show up for school. Electrical circuits and hand ringer phones were his love, not tractors. He only attended school to remain eligible for basketball, football and track. His disdain for school did not correlate with his amazing IQ, as he was one of the most intelligent, handy, successful, hard working men I ever knew. He ultimately became a Vice President with U S West and knew the telephone business from the ground up.

When World War II broke out he couldn’t wait to serve. His heart was set on aviation. At his first opportunity he enlisted, did basic training and moved to pilot training on B29s.

His biggest obstacle to success wasn’t his courage, intelligence, or self-motivation; it was his name. His parents didn’t go so far as naming him Sue, but Billy Dale seemed almost as bad. His name worked well in a small redneck town, but what self-respecting B29 pilot could be taken seriously on a bombing mission with a name like Billy Dale? On enlistment, he took steps to change his name to William Dale.

When I was born, they chose the name William Douglas, I think after General McArthur. A name is very important. What is the lesson?

I remember very distinctly an incident on the first day of first grade. Our teacher went around the class for introductions. When she came to me, I stood proudly and proclaimed my name is Dale Ford, knowing that was far from the truth. Mrs. Guinsberg looked at the register and said, “You mean Doug, don’t you?”

“No! It’s Dale, Dale Ford!” After a five-minute standoff she gathered me up for a trip to the Dean’s office. Thinking back I made the Dean’s list on the first day of first grade; the only problem was the Dean had two lists. Oh well! Being a naive first grader, I had no idea that the system was about to take me down. The next thing I knew my mom showed up at school and she was far from delighted.

Convinced my new identity was Dale, I even argued with my mother. She ultimately ended the dispute by saying, “Wait ‘til your father gets home.” That always meant trouble. I’m sure dealing with me was just what he wanted to do after a hard day.

That evening Dad managed to convince me my real name was Doug and Doug was grounded for one week for being disrespectful and untruthful.

As I look back, I realize my dad wasn’t mad or disappointed. Deep down he was grinning from ear to ear thinking, “That’s my child.” He was proud that I wanted to be called by his name and nobody was going to talk me out of it.

With further reflection on this memory, I realize that there is a heavenly parallel to this earthly story. I was so proud of my dad and his name that I wanted to make it my own. I was even willing to take a whipping (and almost did) if that was the price to be paid to be identified as Dale.

Just like I know my dad was proud and honored that I wanted to be identified with him, our heavenly Father takes even more pleasure when we desire to be identified with Him and His name. As I attempt to contemplate exactly who God is and the extent of His grace, power and wisdom, I’m humbled beyond words to be called “His”.

To be continued….

Digging a bit deeper…

Proverbs 22:1: A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold.

Romans 10:9: … if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Psalm 20:7: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Proverbs 30:4: Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!