THE PRESIDENT CAME TO TOWN

I remember like it was yesterday, the day the president came to our town.

Our town was a Midwestern small community which was less than ten thousand people, including the out lying area. Our mayor Boggs was a small man with big ideas.
One day Mayor Boggs received a communiqué from the president’s office.  It stated, because we had supported his election, we were being included in the whistle stop campaigning, he was doing for his reelection.  Mayor Boggs was beside himself, he had only dreamed about being recognized by people in higher authority.

We only had three weeks to get ready for the event of a lifetime. The mayor’s staff laid out the plan for this visit; which included, getting a big write up in the local weekly news paper and a parade with high school bands from nearby towns participating. The mayors from nearby towns would also come, and ride in open cars so they could be seen by everyone. 

 

A stage was built at the railroad station so everybody could see and hear the president speak.

The news spread, about the president stopping in our town, and the parade and everything else.  Vendors from everywhere began applying for street permits so they could sell their goods.

The day finally arrived, and everything was in its place. The vendors were set up and ready to sell, mostly hot dogs, cold drinks, and ice cream bars.

The parade started with all the mayors waving to the crowded streets, the bands marching and playing John Phillip Souza’s music.  All this cumulated at the train depot where the invited guests of the mayor sat on the platform above the rest of us. There were barriers set up for crowd control, and our three man police force was trying to control this mob of people.

It was almost noon, and the weather was getting muggy and uncomfortable, babies were hot and hungry.  Mothers would try to find some shade and nurse their babies; unashamedly.  This was before Hollywood turned men into raving maniacs at the sight of a woman’s breast.

Time was slipping by and people were getting restless especially those on the platform.  All the mayors had prepared speeches to give welcoming the president. The sun was now directly overhead, and no shade was to be found. The ice cream bars were melting because the hot ice was evaporated and the vendors watched as their profits also melted.

Boys were putting their ear on the railroad tracks trying to hear the noise of the train wheels.

What occurred next happened so quick that most people didn’t understand it until later. Off in the distance the sound of the train whistle could be heard and the people began to get excited.

Meanwhile the station got a message that read: Due to running behind, the president will not be able to stop and greet the people. He sends his regrets and hopes they won’t be disappointed.  However the train will slow down and the president will be on the observation deck and you may see him as he goes by.

Before the message could be given to the mayor, the train went straight through the station with steam escaping from the drivers.  The whistle was blasting, and the ground shook beneath the people, while kids were frighten and started to cry.

Some claimed they saw someone on the back of the train, and he was waving.
The paper got out a special one page edition explaining what had happened.
While some were disappointed, no one ever forgot that the president came to our town.

There is one who is far greater than, kings, rulers, and presidents who has sent a message, not from Washington, but from the throne of GOD.

Jesus spoke in the book of John 14:1-3  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” This Jesus will come to our town, and for those who look for his coming.  They will be received unto him and be with him forever more.

There are some people who ask me if this is a true story, and my answer is, well at least part of it is.