Currently I am writing from Greenville, South Carolina, where daughter number four of four lives and attends nursing school. She has just moved to a new apartment and we have enjoyed being a part of that process and I have so enjoyed being able to just run to the store and purchase a small thing I need to fix this thing, or repair that thing. It really brings to mind how difficult the most simple thing is to accomplish in Mozambique and yet here so simple. We are a blessed nation, that is for sure, and even in the face of the current economic challenges, we must not lose sight of the incredible blessings we have.
Just before we left Philadelphia (daughter one) to head this way, we received word that Ann’s stepbrother had passed away in Radford, Virginia so we left early and attended his funeral. He had attended church in the morning, went to lunch with his mother, and then passed away from an apparent heart attack (57 years of age) in his home later that afternoon. Just another reminder that life on this earth is transient and short.
Arriving in Greenville, we were invited to attend our daughter’s boyfriend’s graduation from Furman College. Her fellow is a delightful young man who will spend the summer working in an internship with his home church near Atlanta and next year working with disadvantaged youth in the Greenville area. We were thrilled to attend the graduation ceremony but then it was especially exciting as the featured speaker was President Bush.
There was quite a bit of turmoil over his visit from some of the college faculty and from some of the student body so we weren’t sure what to expect. The security to enter the college stadium was heightened as you would expect and there was much police / secret service presence on the campus. As we sat in the stands, there was much discussion around us, as in the world of politics, everyone has an opinion and in many cases a passionate opinion. The beauty of it all is that people can openly debate and discuss those opinions, another one of those things we take so for granted here.
The Furman orchestra and the Jazz band entertained the crowd and the 650 graduates with a medley of music but most memorable was the Furman Singer’s rendition of “God of Grace and God of Glory”, serving as a reminder in all the pomp and circumstance of who is truly ‘in charge’. At the designated time, we could see the many motorcycles with flashing lights leading the long line of cars heralding the arrival of the President. For a brief moment it took me back to Mozambique where we see the motorcades occasionally as the President of that country transits to the airport or other appointments with similar protection. The stands of people erupted into applause as the presidential limousine arrived and there was an absolute aura of excitement – the President has arrived here to speak to us. The same people who were a few minutes ago being openly critical of him were in the next breath excited and applauding because despite our feelings, there remains a healthy respect of the position and the office and I was surprised at my own almost giddiness at it all.
So, more ceremony and everyone is seated, and then the band begins the presidential song and out he comes, walking through the students, waving to the crowd, and proceeding to the platform to a standing rousing ovation – the President is here among us. What a privilege to be a part and that feeling was clearly how the majority felt. It was as if political affiliations and opinions were suspended for a short period of time as this one graduating class was honored in this unique fashion. One of the leading class students gave an inspiring speech challenged the class for the future – it was their time to make a difference. I wondered what she was thinking as she spoke immediately prior to the President of the United States but if she was nervous, or otherwise un-nerved, it was certainly not apparent. Then the President spoke and challenged the graduates on the need for a “culture of responsibility”. It was an honor to be there and to see the man I have prayed for nearly daily, as I have for every president since I’ve been a Christian. The Bible admonishes us to pray for our leaders and I have taken that seriously all my life, not just those in government but also those closer and in authority over me. God works through those in leadership and what better counselor could we ever hope for our leaders than the One who spoke the very universe into existence? God can move the hearts of whomever He chooses and the mandate to pray doesn’t have conditions or party affiliations.
After the speech, he departed the stadium to thunderous applause and then once again a few minutes later as the motorcade departed the stadium area. We then returned to honoring the Class of 2008 as they walked across the podium and received their well-earned diplomas. A beautiful campus, a wonderful day, and a reminder of the importance to pray for our leaders. The future is in our young-people and I pray that some of the brightest and the best in this new class across this nation will rise up to serve, casting aside the hedonistic temptation of the culture to seek self-satisfaction. In God’s economy, it is more blessed to give than to receive and we are to love others more than we love ourselves – Jesus’ teaching that remains as radical and fulfilling today as it was 2000 years ago.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1 - 4
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