Christian Herter was running hard for reelection as Governor of Massachusetts, and one day he arrived late at a barbecue given in his honor. He’d had no breakfast or lunch, and he was famished. As he moved down the serving line, he held out his plate and received one piece of chicken. The Governor said to the serving lady, “Excuse me, do you mind if I get another piece of chicken. I’m very hungry.”
“Sorry, I’m supposed to give one piece to each person,” the woman replied. “But I’m starved,” he repeated. Again she said, “Only one to a customer.”
Herter, who was normally a modest man, decided that it was time to use the weight of his office to get another piece of chicken. “Madam, do you know who I am? I am the governor of this state.”
“Do you know who I am?” She answered. “I am the lady in charge of chicken. Move along, mister.”
Now here’s a woman who knew who she was. She knew here “thing” (she was in charge of the chicken) and refused to be intimidated.
When I think about this I am reminded that our gracious God has seen fit to entrust the good news of the gospel into earthen vessels such as ourselves. Each of us has a place in God’s kingdom. Each of us has a part to play in God’s mission through the church. Nobody in God’s family is insignificant.
