On this day in history, 1875, Senator Andrew Johnson died at the home of his daughter. Yes, you read that correctly – Senator Andrew Johnson. You see, the first president to be impeached also became the first (and only) president to serve in the United States Senate – after his presidency.
On December 29, 1998, the second president to be impeached, Bill Clinton, sent a wreath to be placed at Johnson’s grave, in honor of the bond they uniquely shared.
But let’s go back to the former president who became senator. I love that. Normally, a former president simply criticizes his successor. I don’t know much about Johnson, but you have to love the humility of his service. (Well, you don’t have to love that humility, but you should!)
The Bible says, “Clothe yourself with humility” (Colossians 3:12).
I see that humility in a former president who is willing to step back into the lower rank of senator. And I see that in any person in recovery who, despite 10, 15, or 20 years of sobriety, continues to attend weekly meetings.
Recovery Step: Don’t put humility off until you are sober. It is through humility that you get sober.
