FanStory.com - Donald J. Trump Meets the Lordby Wayne Fowler

Seated between his wife, Melania, and former President Barrack Obama, President-elect Donald Trump waited patiently for the funeral service of former President Jimmy Carter to come to a close. It wasn’t that he had an engagement to attend, or a tee time waiting, but that he didn’t care to associate or visit with any of the attendees, particularly with former President Obama. He was bored and concerned that he would be caught on camera asleep.

The speaker, after reading from the formal obituary, announced his scripture reading from the book of Matthew, chapter five: “Blessed are the poor in spirit...”

Obama minutely cocked his head toward Trump, having heard some sort of noise, a grunt, or a humph sound. He paid it no attention.

“… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek…”

Again, Obama heard a noise, certain this time that it was a smirking sound coming from Trump.

“…for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

“I don’t even know what that means,” Trump said, nearly imperceptibly.

Obama froze, first listening. He quickly closed his eyes and sought direction from the Lord.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

“That’s nobody,” Trump said, the tiniest bit louder than his previous utterance.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.”

Trump took in a half breath as if to begin speaking. He stopped as though in mid-hiccup. Obama turned his head ever so slightly, his eyes turned as far as he could, checking on Trump’s state. Obama continued praying.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me…”

“I don’t even know what that means.” This time Trump was loud enough to draw attention to himself by those in his immediate proximity. “Rejoice and be glad…” Trump repeated the last words he’d heard, his lips turned grotesquely downward.

Obama turned slightly and whispered. “Would you like to meet the one who said those words? You could ask him what they mean.”

“You believe all that?” Trump made no effort to quiet himself, though to him, it was a whisper.

“I do. And if you… Donald, he wants to talk to you. He wants to heal you.”

“I…” Trump’s eyes fluttered, as he sucked in breaths as might an adolescent in the throes of bawling. Obama steadied Trump’s wavering frame with a gentle hold on his back.

“Donald. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, that he died and was raised from the dead, you will be saved. If you believe in him, you will not perish, but have eternal life. He loves you, Donald.”

Trump twisted his neck and locked eyes onto Obama’s. “He… I…”

“Donald, would you like to be saved? Would you like to know Jesus?”

Trump’s head pumped the affirmative, his jaws quivering soundlessly.

“Repeat after me, Donald. Lord Jesus…” Obama waited.

Donald babbled, but the name “Jesus” was plain enough.

“Forgive me of all my sins.” Obama held Trump’s gaze.

“Forgive me of all my sins.”

No one heard the muffled gasps of those witnessing the event. The speaker glanced at the goings-on, but continued his eulogy.

“Come into my heart, Lord Jesus”

“Come into…” Trump gasped and dropped to his knees. Those nearby startled in one fashion or another collectively.

“Pray, people. Rejoice and pray.” Obama kneeled to lay an arm over Trump as he prayed quietly. Melania took a half-step backward, a fearful expression on her face.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the speaker said softly. “Our brother Jimmy would want nothing more for a funeral service than for the miracle that is happening over to my right.” He signaled to someone far to his left. “While music plays and … I’ll sit and we’ll allow God to work.”

The gathered, outside the immediacy of Trump, knew only that something of significance was happening in the area of the former presidents. Within a few moments, Trump stood and turned to Obama who’d stood, as well. “Thank you.”

Trump looked about him without embarrassment. He looked to Melania, and then to the vacated pulpit. Trump again thanked Obama as he calmly walked to the stage steps. Neither rushed, nor hesitating, Trump reached the lectern at the same time as the minister.

“Allow me,” the minister said, as he flipped a microphone switch and then stepped away.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Trump lifted his hands and arms, turning his head upward.

The congregated people clapped. Some shouted hallelujah. Many bowed and prayed prayers of joy and thanksgiving.

“I don’t know very much of what’s happening. I don’t want to be disruptive.” He turned to face the minister, who waved with both hands, sending signals of acceptance.

“If you will forgive me… I need to talk to someone,” he said to the crowd. “So, I’ll…” Trump waved the minister forward as he walked back toward the steps where another minister was waiting for him, his arm outstretched.

+++

“J.D., I’ll just come out and say it.” Trump and his Vice President were alone in an office in the third-floor residence of the White House. “I’m not the same man I was two weeks ago.”

J.D. began to speak, his words on the order of welcoming him to Christianity.

Trump held up both hands, his voice commanding Vance to stop. “I waited until after being sworn in because the MAGA base, well…” Again, he silenced Vance. “I’ve already asked for the resignations of those already confirmed by the Senate, and I’ve withdrawn the names of all the others. Here’s a simple resignation I’d like you to sign. Or you can write your own.”

Vance shook his head violently. He began to speak, and was once again stopped.

“J.D., there’s no Twenty-fifth Amendment removal with no Cabinet. You no longer represent my values. Now if you resign, you’re still standing tall for the primaries. You can still run for office. If you choose not to work with me… well… you won’t work with me at all.”

Vance again shook his head. He was in utter disbelief. He knew something was up. Of course, he knew that Trump was going through a dramatic life-changing event. But he never dreamed of being shown the door.

Trump quietly left the room, leaving J.D. alone with the resignation letter. J.D. thought about the humiliation of the press and an entire world fully aware that he’d been asked to resign, but refused. Vance signed the letter and stormed from the residence, out-pacing his Secret Service bodyguards.

+++

“Joe, you beat me in ‘20. In spite of… MAGA… I think there would be trouble if I named Kamala as Vice President and then resigned.” Joe Biden was in the same office with Donald Trump as had been Trump and Vance the day before.

“Joe, I know you’re a good man. A bit old, but…” Trump laughed a different laugh than Biden had ever heard before. “I’m doing my best to do what God wants me to.”

Biden knew to remain silent. After a moment Trump asked him a second time. “Will you be my Vice President? And then… well. I’m going to be too busy making things right. In my family, if I can… and a whole lot of other people.”

Joe stood. “Donald, I’ve heard of miracles all my life. But I’ve never seen one until you. Yes, I’ll be your Vice President. And I promise… no funny stuff. Caretaker only. Even keel. Protect the nation, and help who we can help.”

Trump nodded. “Well, let’s go down and announce it. And as soon as I can, I’ll go to Mara-Lago. After that, who knows.”

Joe Biden extended his hand.

+++

“Press corps, people of the United States. As you all know by now. I’ve had a religious experience. A deep religious experience. And I know what… not all. But I know… Yesterday as you all know. Vice President Vance has resigned. Today, former President Joe Biden has agreed to come back to Washington as the new Vice President.” There were gasps and groans throughout the room, including of the White House staff. “And like you can all guess, that means I’ll be stepping down. Like I told Joe upstairs, I have too much to do to be the President. I wish to thank everyone who worked hard to put me here, and to all of you who voted for me. But trust me. I’m not that man anymore.

“Joe beat me fair and square in ‘20. And if… well, let’s just say the ’24 election… who knows but God.” Trump smiled a warm, healthy smile as he pointed to the ceiling, tipping his head and eyes upward. “We’ll take a few questions, Joe and I. Just a few.”

“Mr. President, why not allow the Constitution to work, and let the Twenty-fifth Amendment run its course with the Speaker of the House succeeding?”

“Because…” Trump would have said that God did not want an extremist in the office, but felt checked to veer away from that thought. “Because in these times, a proven steady hand is needed. The world knows Joe. The world trusts Joe. And Joe knows how to run a government. And frankly, I didn’t.”

The room was filled with murmuring, followed by clamoring to ask the next question. “That’s it for me. Next question for Joe Biden.”

Joe ignored the details of the question and simply stated that he was, for the most part, going to ask for his old cabinet officers to return. He assured the corps that he was going to do exactly as he had already pledged to President Trump, to be a caretaker, to protect the nation, and help who he could.

“Mr. Biden?” the questioner’s tone was forceful enough to silence all others. “Did you make a deal to pardon President Trump?”

The room immediately quieted as if no one breathed.

“No, I did not.” Joe paused holding up a hand for silence. “But since the Lord already has, how could I do any less. Yes, I will issue a pardon as my very first act, should I ascend to the office of the Presidency.