The Carpet

Short Story Day 117 of 365

The annual business meeting of First Baptist was gearing up to be contentious. Throughout the year, the Deacons of the 92-member church had been presenting the plans to re-carpet the sanctuary and the education center at a cost of $23,000. Church leadership had already spent several thousand on feasibility studies and estimates that put the cost well over $30,000 when it was all said and done.

The only thing remaining was the voting for approval to begin work.

As detailed in the church bylaws, proxy voting was prohibited unless the Member was physically unable to attend. Vacation or a death in the family wasn’t an excuse. Every member had to be in attendance to vote.

The head deacon, Paul, said, “As you all know, of great importance in our business meeting tonight is the discussion of carpeting the sanctuary and education center. I want to thank the Pastor and the full deacon board for getting us to this point. Tonight, we’d like to vote on the issue so we can move forward with it. Any further discussion?”

None of the members said or did anything.

They took the vote, and only two in the congregation voted against the decision.

“Now, the next order of business is deciding what color this carpet will be.”

Brother James rose from the pew and began walking towards the back of the sanctuary.

Paul asked, “Something wrong, Brother James?”

“No, nothing at all,” Brother James said. “I’m going to the kitchen to make a large pot of coffee. Sounds like we’re gonna be here a while tonight.”