Unexpectedly, tears filled my eyes as I looked upon that old, weathered, presidential chair. Worn, stiff, faded, it was just an inanimate object, but as I stood in that 200-year-old study, window overlooking the Potomac, I could sense the life that once sat there.
World on shoulders. Heavy weight. There were so many depending on him to fulfill his appointed task, and there was also
the One, who watched to see if he would choose to say yes. It was the hard thing, but the
right thing, and so he stepped forward and filled the space that had been carved out for him to fill before the foundation of the Earth.
He did not walk on water, no, but he did trust in the One Who does. He was not perfect, but he stood for goodness and exemplified meekness...extreme power....controlled. Where are our General George Washingtons today?
Where are those who aspire for greatness not for themselves, but for those who will come behind them? Where are those who would give up absolute power, should it be offered to them, even twice, choosing instead to live a quiet and peaceful life as a fellow servant?
When pondering such questions, in the face of current events and heartbreaking news around every bend, such modern-day leaders seem absent. They are here, though, but many times not where we expect them. We want to see them in prominent places, and depending upon times and seasons, they indeed may be. Other times, they are not the ones holding office and powerful positions. In such times, let us be encouraged and remember that leaders are born at home, and raised by regular mothers and fathers. Regular, except that the mothers and fathers are brave, and have vision, have hope to release the leaders they are raising when the proper time comes.
Regular people. Servants' hearts. Doing the extraordinary in quiet and private spaces. My heart wells up with thankfulness for you mothers and fathers who are doing just this, right now.
