This is for
real. I called Laura Lefler in Sen.. Alexander's office
today,
2/23, and she confirmed that she wrote it and is now overwhelmed
with
it spreading via the internet. She sent it so several friends and
they
then put it on its journey. Larry Hone
Subject:
Bush in church, Very interesting
I'm at
the 8:00am service at my church, St. John's Episcopal, at
Lafayette
Square, across from the White House. (I wanted to go early
because
I was going with Alice and Brent for breakfast at the Cracker
Barrel
in Manassas.) 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 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
turn 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
perched 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
Office
of Senator Lamar Alexander
302
Hart Senate Office Building
202-224-4944
fax:
202-228-3398
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