Unnecessary Fuss

Unnecessary Fuss

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves.

Romans 12:3

Several months after President Calvin Coolidge died, Mrs. Coolidge decided to take a trip abroad to get away and see some different sights. However, she feared that there might be an unnecessary fuss made over the wife of a former American president as she traveled from place to place.

The friend with whom she would be traveling said, “Don’t worry. In the little places where we’ll be stopping, they don’t know one president of the United States from another. People won’t bother you. I’ve done a lot of traveling, so trust me.”

“All right, if you’re absolutely sure,” said Mrs. Coolidge hesitantly. “I just hope the press leaves us alone.”

And so they began their journey, looking forward to the quaint villages and shops they would be visiting. To Mrs. Coolidge’s delight, and just as the friend had said, no one bothered them until they reached a small Italian town and received word that reservations had been made for them in the next town. This sounded ominous, but they decided to proceed with their itinerary anyway. It was, after all, a small town, so how bad could it be?

When they reached the hotel in the next town, the hotel manager received them with great pomp, bowing deeply as they entered. “We are so proud to welcome the wife of the great president of the United States! We have prepared our very best suite of rooms for you,” he said.

Mrs. Coolidge extended her hand and said quietly, “Thank you, sir. We appreciate your kindness.”

Then the manager gestured toward the registration desk and asked, “Will you please register, Mrs. Lincoln?”

Gentle Father, I know that you alone deserve our praise. I humbly ask that you help me to see myself accurately, as your simple servant, nothing more. Amen.