This is for real. Laura Lefler works in Sen. Alexander’s office, and she confirmed that she wrote it and is now overwhelmed with the knowledge that it is spreading via the Internet. She sent it to several friends, and they then put it on its journey.
I’m at the 8:00am service at my church, St. John’s Episcopal, at Lafayette Square, across
from the White House. Much of the service was uneventful-nice, but uneventful-until it
comes to the part of the service when the priest says, “Greet one another in the name of
the Lord.”
I turn to my right to exchange the peace with my friend, Amy Fox Smythe, who was on the
other end of my pew. I then shake hands with the person in front of me, and turn around
to say hello to the person behind me.
The person behind me was our 43rd President George W. Bush.
I am not kidding. A small crowd was forming around him, and not wanting to delay the
church service or bother him by waiting to shake his hand, I turned back around and sat
down and talked to Amy. About 30 seconds later I felt a hand on my left shoulder and
turned around to see President Bush with his hand extended. “Peace of the Lord, ” he said
and held my hand with both of his. “Peace of the Lord,” I replied, and held both his hands
and smiled at him.
I turned back around and was remarkably calm about the fact that the most powerful
person in the world was sitting two feet behind me. I could hear him flipping through his
bulletin as the priest made the announcements. I loved the idea of him thinking, “Oh,
there’s a covered dish next Sunday.”
We prayed and when I stood up to go to the communion rail, he got up and walked down
the aisle behind me. We passed a little old lady who said, “Mr. President, I pray for you
every day.” To which he said, “That’s a very special gift. Thank you so much.”
We got to the communion rail, and there were two spaces, one in front of us and one
around the side of the altar. We both surmised for ten seconds, and then I started off
around the corner. He stopped me and whispered, “No, no. I’ll go around” and motioned
for me to take the closer spot. The only ‘exception’ made in the entire service was that the
President was allowed to leave first, and then the rest of the congregation followed.
With all sincerity, and partisanship aside I tell you:
This is a special man! There is a peace and a ‘Godliness’ about him. It radiates from him. It
is the only reason that I was able to remain calm.
It was more than the adrenaline I’ve felt when I’ve met other famous people. A goodness
flows through this man.
He has more than my vote in November. He has my respect, my prayers, and my gratitude.
Whatever your political affiliation, and whether or not you agree with his decisions, you
should take comfort in the fact that-despite recent press attacks-this is a man of
‘integrity’ who makes decisions because he believes that they are RIGHT, not popular. He
makes these decisions with a heavy heart and through prayer.
I don’t mean to go on, and on, but I truly believe this was a blessing from God that should
be passed on.
Laura Lefler
