The room filled to capacity as I took my seat.

The Lincoln-Jefferson room of the Washington, D.C. Hilton. was abuzz with the conversations of women, representing 182 nations, who were gathering for one of the highly anticipated events surrounding this year's Presidential Prayer Breakfast.

On the platform were wives of U. S. Senators and Congressmen. These were women of faith who meet weekly to pray, just as we do, for individual needs and for the needs of others, our nation and its leaders. One of these women was Sharon Smith, the wife of Senator Gordon Smith of Portland, Oregon.  What made Sharon unique was her very presence at this gathering. 

Sharon was a loser.

Her husband's senatorial seat had been taken by the opposing party during the recent elections. 

At the time of this meeting, Sharon, in bitter defeat, should have been well on her way back to Oregon. Instead, in a truly unprecedented and beautiful portrayal of the spirit of Jesus, Sharon had remained in D.C., to greet her rival, Mary Merkley, wife of Oregon's new Senator, Jeff Merkley, to assist in her transition to Washington and life as a Senator's wife.

Why would she do such a thing? Mary Merkley was clearly her enemy. 

The contest between their husbands had been fierce, perhaps ugly at times, and Sharon's husband had been defeated! Part of the answer comes out of her own story, which she shares with others in person and print*.  It is a story that is hard to hear. 

Sharon begins by asking how many people in the audience have been touched directly or indirectly by the loss to suicide of a loved one, a friend or colleague.

Shockingly, an audible rustle rippled through the audience as nearly every other hand was raised in affirmation. From there she goes on to share how her life and faith were sustained through the love, prayers and friendships of other wives in her prayer group and their husbands during the tragic loss to suicide of her college age son, Garrett.

The grace, enduring strength and joy she has found in the love of Christ and the demonstration of that love in the spirit of Christ now compels her to share that love.

The other part of Sharon's remarkable behavior stems from her willingness to not only believe but to also put into action the words of Jesus when He said, "There is a saying, "Love your friends and hate your enemies". 

But I say: Love your enemie ... in that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:43-45.

I was thrilled to hear Tony Blair's keynote address as he shared his world view and the story of his first spiritual awakening. I listened intently as the President spoke of his family's tradition of faith and rose to my feet in applause and appreciation for the performance of "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns.

But what most vividly remains in my heart, and what I took away from the 2009 Presidential Prayer Breakfast is the spirit of Jesus demonstrated in the loving kindness of one woman towards her enemy.  

*Remembering Garrett: One Family's Battle with a Child's Depression