There are times when God has a way of reminding of what is good in our world. Somehow the contrast between the compassionate and generous life of Jimmy Carter and the hate spewing invective of president elect Donald Trump is a reminder for all of us to seek the good in the world. In the grand scheme of things we learned more about how to live a truly meaningful life from Jimmy Carter than we will ever garner from all of Trump’s wealth and power.
From a religious point of view Jimmy Carter was the ultimate example for us all. He lived a seemingly quiet modest life but he was never afraid to speak out for justice for the underserved among us. He might have spent his years after the White House increasing his wealth, maintaining his power, and keeping his political influence alive. Instead he turned his attention to causes that enriched the lives of individuals who were struggling from poverty and disease.
Jimmy Carter was a loving and loyal husband who remained faithful to his wife for decades. He was a pioneer in the struggle against climate change. He was a man of peace who brokered one of the most long lasting peace treaties of the twentieth century. He was a loving and responsible son and father. There is no doubting that he was a godly man who embraced his faith in every aspect of his life.
It worries me that we now have leaders who seem to be following a kind of fake Christianity that is vindictive and cruel. In the name of religion they shun people that they do not understand. They judge and punish, actions that Jimmy Carter never accepted. Perhaps there is a message in the death of Carter just before the inauguration of Trump that is meant to help us all remember what is best about the commands that Jesus left for us to follow. After all he ultimately told us to love and few people who have lived on this planet have been better at doing that than Jimmy Carter.
I won’t say much more than this. I am moved and mourning at this moment and words are evading me. Instead I will simply hope that we humans will be inspired by the life of Jimmy Carter to set aside the ugliness that has challenged our ability to see every human as a miracle worthy of our compassion and acceptance. If we can follow Jimmy Carter’s way of life the world will indeed be a much more beautiful place to be.
May Jimmy Carter rest in peace with God and the angels. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 