I recently (tonight) had the opportunity to talk with our (rather) new Bishop of our Ward.  A while back we had a 5-way split, creating 2 new Stakes and various new Wards.  As a result a lot of Bishoprics were dissolved and new ones created.  Ours was one such Ward.  There was a lot of speculation and typical gossip on who would be the next Bishop.  Bets were placed (not really) and hallway snickering occurred.  The day came.  Our Bishopric was called and they were all people my age!  Whoa.  Humbling.  Our Bishop had been in the previous Bishopric and I’d come to know him as a pretty great guy.  He and his family seem so much fun.

Tonight I called upon my Bishop for some guidance.  He came over promptly and sat down to talk.  Here I was, talking with what could have been the guy I went golfing with earlier that day.  It was odd for a moment as I’ve only known my Bishops to be “older” (no offense) than me.  Bishop Williams isn’t much (if at all?).  I started to blabber as he listened and nodded about things I was saying.  I figured he’d just listen.

Then it happened.

As he spoke, I could see this wasn’t “Duane” anymore.  He was transformed and provided such amazing abilities to understand, explain, comfort.  We spent the next 2 hours or so talking.  He shared stories from GA’s from memory, he popped open scripture and pointed to perfect passages without hesitation.  He understood me.  I’ve not been that impressed in a while.  I don’t know what happens when you are called as Bishop…if you suddenly get a crash course in Zig Ziglar training, or are given some type of injection of knowledge, but whatever it is, it’s a blessing to them and to those they serve.  I can only imagine it is within some deep prayers and meditation that they receive whatever abilities they need to perform their duties with peace and a calming effect on themselves and those they serve.  It’s as if words seemingly flow with ease and without a stupor of thought.

Bishop Williams, a peer, counseled me today and I listened.  Bishop, you are indeed a man of God.