May I Present . . .

May I Present . . .

The LORD [said], “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”

Exodus 33:17

One of the most important skills of a successful politician is remembering people’s names. Unfortunately, President Taft didn’t possess that skill to a great degree. So, over time, he became quite adept at avoiding the name issue altogether, often having an aide ask for the person’s name and then presenting him or her to Taft.

At one White House gathering, when Taft was serving as secretary of war, he was standing in a receiving line greeting visitors. His aide, Captain Butt, asked one man for his name in order to present him to Taft, but the man refused, saying that he and Taft were old friends and that he would need no introduction.

The line of people progressed toward Taft, who soon found himself facing a stranger. Looking pleadingly at Captain Butt, he received only a shrug of Butt’s shoulders. Taft, seeing he was in trouble, dramatically swept his hand high and sent it firmly into the stranger’s hand. At the same time, he turned to his wife and said, “Dear, you remember our dear old friend here,” and before Mrs. Taft could say anything, Taft had moved the man past him and was greeting the next person in line.

After the man moved on, Mrs. Taft asked her husband who the man was. Taft replied, “My darling, I have not the faintest idea who he is, but I saw he was an intimate friend by the way he stood poised on one foot waiting to be recognized.”

Later, the stranger found Captain Butt and said with pride, “I told you there was no need to present me!”

Father, I am so grateful that you know my name and that I will not need to be introduced to you when I get to heaven. Thank you for knowing me and loving me, Lord. Amen.