The Secretary of War was angry! The Cabinet was deep in discussion when in burst the President’s little son.

“Papa-day, I’m tired of playing by myself.”

The President, seated at the head of a long table, replied gently that he couldn’t play now. He needed to finish with the men at the table first, he explained.

“Where is that boy’s mother?” bellowed the Secretary, amidst the general laughter of the Cabinet. Even if he didn’t understand the heart of the President, they did.

The boy cowered by his daddy. When at last they were alone, he said “Papa-day, why don’t you take that man over your knee and give him a good spanking?”

Now it was the President’s turn to laugh. “You mustn’t mind him. He’s such a good man that I’m willing to put up with his odd ways for the great good he can do the country.”

Then President Lincoln put Tad on his shoulders and played, whooping and hollering throughout the presidential mansion.

Abraham Lincoln led the United States through a terrible crisis — moral, cultural, and political. His achievements were not at all diminished by the important priority of his children. Just so, we are God’s priority. When we seek Him first every morning in Bible study and prayer, He enables us to do what seems impossible in our busy days.