In the early months of the year 1979, a sixteen-year-old girl sat in the kitchen of her home in Tuscumbia, Alabama, watching her mother fry chicken for supper. No doubt the pleasant atmosphere of family and the aroma of food being prepared made this girl very happy and appreciative of her situation, and in this atmosphere, she suddenly had a thought. She said to her mother, "Wouldn't it be nice if the President could come to our house for supper?" In fact, she told her mother, "I think I'll write him and invite him to come eat with us."

I'm sure the President of the United States receives thousands of letters every day, but the letter sent to the President passed through the channels and was read by President Jimmy Carter himself. On July 6, 1979, a letter was sent to the girl from the White House with these words:

"Dear Lisa, The President has asked me to thank you for your kind letter inviting him to have dinner in your home. He has asked me to note your request, and, should it be possible in the months ahead, I will be in touch with you. Sincerely, Fran Voorde, Deputy Appointments Secretary."

Lisa worked in my office at Deshler High School as an Office Assistant the following year, and on two occasions, she said to me, "Mr. Richey, the President is coming to Tuscumbia." "Lisa, what makes you think that," I asked. She responded, "Because I asked him to come." The second time Lisa told me the President was coming to town, I responded, "Lisa, I know you wrote him and asked him to come, but that doesn't mean he is coming." Lisa said, "Oh, he is coming all right. I've heard from his people."

These conversations with Lisa about the President coming to Tuscumbia, Alabama, soon passed from my mind, but on August 22, 1980, an announcement was made by the White House that President Jimmy Carter would launch his presidential re-election campaign in Tuscumbia, Alabama, at the annual Spring Park Labor Day festivities on September 1, 1980. The weeks prior to the coming of the President caused a flurry of activity in little Tuscumbia, Alabama. An advance team arrived from Washington to begin preparations for the visit and to coordinate with the local Democratic officials. Programs were coordinated, speakers selected, and entertainment groups acquired. When all was in readiness, President Carter, accompanied by his wife Rosalyn, and daughter, Amy, arrived in Tuscumbia.

In all this hustle and bustle of political heavy weights that showed up for the occasion, the local media were in "hog heaven" reporting the events. But they forgot one very important story that for over a quarter of a century has never been told. That is, "Why the President of the United States came to Tuscumbia, Alabama." The reason is simple. A little red-headed teen by the name of Lisa wrote the President of the United States and asked him to come to dinner. And while this was one of the most important days in the political life of Jimmy Carter, surrounded by the South's most important politicians, the President of the United States had Lisa sit between Rosalyn and Amy Carter. The President kissed Lisa on the cheek, and the President, Mrs. Carter, and Amy signed the letter that had been sent from Washington on July 6, 1979, a copy of which lays between me and the computer screen on which I am writing.

If a sixteen-year-old girl from Tuscumbia, Alabama, can change the calendar of the most powerful man on earth, what can a Christian do who has his voice heard in heaven by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? As a Christian you have influence. Jesus pointed this out in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, "You are the salt of the earth," and "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16). Just as salt and light have an influence on the things around them, the Christian has influence in the world and at the throne of God.

Let us realize that as individuals, we have great power and use in the kingdom of God. The Lord gives different abilities to different ones. This is taught in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, and in the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12. You may say, "Well, I'm just a one talent person." If so, make sure the Lord gets His talent's worth. Remember Lisa? She invited the most powerful man on earth, and he came to her hometown. Although Mr. Carter did not come to Lisa's house for supper, he did invite Lisa to dine with him at a local restaurant.

Are you using your powers of influence in your manner of life? Are you using your influence at the Throne of Heaven? You are a V.I.P., a Very Influential Person. Use your influence well.

Biblical Insights, January, 2013