How About a Sneak Peek into George and Barbara Bush’s Faith?
Friends! I pray today finds you well and that you and your family had a most Blessed Easter a couple of weeks ago. We had gorgeous Spring-like weather in Louisville on Easter Sunday. Two-thirds of our family gathered after church for lunch and an egg hunt. (Our Lexington kiddos were a bit under the weather, sadly, so they were greatly missed.)
Miraculously, we were able to snap a few photos. (A “few” may be an understatement.) You never know with the ages of our grand angels what they’ll be focused on or IF they’ll even look at the camera!!! (After the egg hunt, for example, the bigger ones wanted to open every single egg to discover its’ treasure…no stoppin’ ‘em…Period. Paragraph.)
Here’s our oldest and youngest: Claire (will turn 6 in May) and Mary Abbott, was 3 1/2 weeks old in this pic, and, she has her EYES OPEN!!! This is a rarity as Mary Abbott is usually sound asleep, God bless her. All the grands enjoy patting her and putting her pacifier back in, among other things to take good care of her.
And here’s our clan right before brunch. Some nice soul volunteered to snap a pic of us as we clearly needed some help!
Ah, well, yes—I’m forever sidetracked with our family, a very good distraction, apologies (!!!), so we must get down to business with a NEW favorite book I discovered, thanks to my friend Mary. Mary had recently popped into the Library here in Louisville, and lo and behold, perched upon a shelf, on display, was this moving and compelling-in-the-best-of-ways book!
The book? Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush by The Reverend Russell J. Levenson, Jr.
Here are just three of sixteen endorsements…
Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, calls this book “a moving memoir,” reminding us “how blessed we were to have people of faith in the White House who worked for the greater good of their country, their community, and their church.”
John C. Danforth, former ambassador, senator, and preacher said, “Thru’ this window into the souls of George and Barbara Bush, Russell Levenson presents a timely vision of public service as more than an array of policies and a parade of events. At its best, it can be a model of kindness and decency for a nation to follow.”
Admiral William H. McRaven, U.S. Navy (Retired) said this book is “a remarkable addition to the legacy of our forty-first president.”
Son, Jeb Bush, wrote the Foreword, commending and endorsing the relationship his whole family had with Russ who pastored their Episcopalian church in Houston. In the Foreword, Jeb says his parents didn’t really wear their faith on their sleeves, but by their actions it was evident they clung to their faith.
One example was while their daughter, Robin, lost her battle to leukemia at a very early age. (Don’t miss the very moving details in Chapter 2.)
Another example was when Jeb’s father invited Billy Graham to “pray with him the night the air war started in Operation Desert Storm. Afterward, he admitted to sharing the experience of President Lincoln, who said that as commander in chief, ‘I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.’”
So the author we come to know, is Russ Levenson, Jr., who became the rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in 2007 in Houston, Texas. He and his family were blessed to become acquainted with the Bushes as soon as he took this post and their close friendship lasted eleven years. He was truly a “witness to dignity.” You’ll devour every chapter!
Russ gives us sneak peeks into what he and his wife Laura got to do with the Bushes (and many times their children) such as dinner out, visits to Kennebunkport, etc. Many times he admitted he couldn’t believe they were getting to do such things—kind of a “pinch-me-I’m-dreaming” scenario.
The Bushes always went above and beyond to extend hospitality to Russ and his family in every way. He adds inspirational stories of the Bush’s generosity to their extension of hospitality—not just in a financial manner, but with their time as well, always going the extra mile. Russ says they were “generous to the core.”
Chapter 8 opens with a lovely quote about hospitality by Pastor Erwin W. Lutzer:
“Hospitality is a test for godliness because those who are selfish do not like strangers, especially needy ones, to intrude upon their private lives. They prefer their own friends who share their lifestyle. Only the humble have the necessary resources to give of themselves to those who could never give of themselves in return.”
My friend, Becky Pippert, used to talk about how we mustn’t stay in a “holy huddle.” In other words, we shouldn’t stay in our comfort zone, we should reach out to others outside of our comfort zone, shining the light of Christ on them, taking them under our wings, exactly what we witness the Bushes doing on numerous occasions.
Russ is also gifted at showcasing President and Mrs. Bush’s personalities, many times causing us readers to laugh out loud. I found myself reading multiple excerpts aloud to John, who almost immediately put the book on his Kindle! (This reminds me to assure you this book would definitely appeal to men and women.)
Letters from George H.W. are also included in the book which will warm your heart. I learned of GHWB’s passion for handwriting letters from reading the book, 41: A Portrait of My Father by son George W., a/k/a “43.”
Saturdays were GHWB’s time to handwrite many letters to people as a source of encouragement. I was so moved by this very rare action I marched out and ordered monogrammed stationary for all our boys, Big John included. I hope they catch GHWB’s talent and passion for creating handwritten notes!
Sidebar: If the letters included in Witness to Dignity peak your curiosity, be sure to check out All the Best, a collection of 41’s letters.
In a letter he wrote to Barbara, he signs it “Poppy.” Of course I love this as our grand angels call my John “Poppy.” Apparently George H.W.’s uncles nicknamed him “Pop” when he was born, however his paternal grandfather was also called Pop, so sometimes GHWB was called “Little Pop.” His children and grandchildren called him Pop or Poppy.
I’d forgotten about GHWB being the only survivor in a plane crash when he was in the Navy. It is a remarkable story and is not the first time his plane went down into the water! This caused him to ask this question: “Why had I been spared and what did God have in store for me?”
I’d like to think had God told GHWB exactly what He did have in store for him, including that he would one day be the President of the United States, my guess is George would not have believed Him! Makes me laugh to think about it!!! Only God…
We also get to read the prayer young George prayed for both of his parents when his Dad was President-elect followed by a prayer at his Dad’s inauguration after he was sworn in on not one, but two Bibles! (The Bibles were the Bush family Bible and the Bible “upon which George Washington began his presidency.”)
This time it was George H.W. Bush doing the praying. He said, “And my first act as President is a prayer, I ask you to bow your heads…” (This can be found in Chapter 4. Don’t miss it!)
So between Chapters 4 and 19, we readers gain more insight into the Bush family, their friends, their faith, etc., and each chapter gets sweeter and sweeter.
Oh, but get ready…The last few chapters include lovely and poignant details of the funerals of GHWB and Barbara. You’d best fetch a box of Kleenex as you’ll find yourself completely overwhelmed, but in the best way. (I couldn’t quite gain my composure!)
Russ’s words were beautiful and touching on all levels. Near the end of the book, he says, “We have been blessed to share meals, tears, moments of silence, and prayers in times of great strength and in times of great weakness.”
He adds,
“Jesus Christ, for George Bush, was at the heart of his faith—but his was a deep faith, a generous faith, a simple faith, in the best sense of the word. He knew and lived Jesus’ two greatest commandments—to love God and to love your neighbor.”
One favorite quote from Barbara’s homily is:
In addition to this book being hugely inspirational, entertaining, and a motivator to live a life well-lived (Think: “Leave a lovely legacy!!!”), it’s also filled with hope. (Don’t miss the words of the President’s grandson, George P. Bush in chapter 16.)
Let’s savor a few of 43’s words at his Father’s funeral:
“…And we’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand again.”
Let’s close with a song Barbara chose for her own funeral, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee:
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!
All thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays;
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Changing bit and flowing fountain, Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving. Ever blessing, every blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, All who live in love and Thine.
Teach us how to love each other; Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals join the mighty chorus, which the Morning Stars began.
Father love is reigning over us, Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music life us sunward, in the triumph song of life.
Amen and amen.
To God be the Glory!
Now you know how we like to close: Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and grab Witness to Dignity! You will be so blessed and encouraged.
‘Til next time!
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