The Royalty Principle

WHITE HOUSE INVITATION In 1982, shortly after we arrived in Washington, DC to start campus ministries at George Washington University and Howard University, the staff was invited to the White House to see a movie, The Coming of the Second American Revolution, by Francis Schaeffer. It was also announced that President Ronald Reagan would be there. I had great respect for Mr. Reagan and I was thrilled at this chance to meet him. However, the Sunday before the event the pastor’s wife pulled me aside. They had three small children and she asked me to babysit while they went to the White House. I was crushed. But my heart was to obey my elders and so I agreed. When the day arrived I watched as they prepared to leave while I received instructions on how to take care of the children. Then I spent the time playing games and changing diapers. After they returned, I fled to my room and wept. It was during that time of heartbreak that I prayed to my Father, “Lord, You know that I wanted to go to the White House, but I obeyed my elders and served them. And now when I go, I want it to be by personal invitation of the President.” Prior to coming to DC I had raised money from supporters so that I wouldn’t have to work and could focus on ministry. After six months the support ran out and I was released to get a job. For the next year and a half, whenever I passed 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I would repeat my prayer. It wasn’t that I couldn’t go to the White House since free tours were given during the week. I just refused to take one. And then it was announced that Reagan was going to run for re-election. In church one of the women said that the campaign staff needed volunteers. At the time I worked for a magazine that was owned by Mr. Henry Catto, who had been the Assistant Secretary of Defense under Casper Weinberger, and was later appointed US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. In the office one day he’d left a pile of books to be thrown out that included one on Reagan’s first inauguration. I asked Henry if I could have a copy. In it were stories and pictures from the campaign announcement through the swearing in. And now I had a chance to be there for what might well prove to be a historic moment. I contacted the woman and volunteered. The evening was unforgettable. Two weeks later the woman called me and said they needed another receptionist at the campaign headquarters. She asked if I would like the job. I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough. One day while I was sitting at a desk monitoring the elevators I was handed an envelope. When I opened it there was a single card inside that read, “The President and Mrs. Reagan request the pleasure of your company at a reception to be held at the White House.” Sitting in the middle of that hallway I wept–this time at the faithfulness of God in answering the prayer of His child. I went to the White House. I ate food that had been prepared by the famous White House chefs while trying not to break the elegant White House china. I sat on the chairs that were roped off when visitors passed by on the tour. I stood at the dining room window looking out at the Rose Garden, and the Washington Monument beyond. When I went through the receiving line I got to shake President Reagan’s hand and have my picture taken with him. And I received the picture autographed by him and his wife, Nancy. I also received an autographed picture of me and Vice President George Bush who would become the next President of the United States. I went from an act of obedience, to a broken heart, to a bold prayer, to a divine appointment set up by my Father in heaven. The only place that I want to be is living in the love of the Father, which is an adventure filled with rewards.