This week, a country said farewell to American’s 39th President, James Earl Carter. The Thursday service was held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. It was a beautiful service with a most music coming from favorite traditional hymns (was surprised the “Imagine” was included in the service). In addition to the clergy officiating there were three speakers who spoke of Carter’s character and strong faith. His grandson, Jason, told how his father traveled the world for his service work, but he made sure that he made it back to teach his Sunday School classes at his hometown church in Plains, Georgia. Jason said that the only class he was late to or missed was when his grandson had died. Steve Ford, son of President Gerald Ford, read a letter that his father wrote to be read at Carter’s funeral. It told of the long and close friendship the two men developed after the 1976 election when Carter defeated Ford for the Presidency. Following Steve Ford’s reading, Carter’s Vice-President Walter Mondale, had written a letter also to be read at Carter’s funeral. The Vice-President’s son read that letter. He told of how Carter treated his as a Vice-President, with such respect. Carter told his staff to treat Mondale with as much respect as they did him. Mondale said of he and Jimmy Carter, “We never lied to the American people.” He told a story of how when Carter became President, he asked that “Hail to the Chief,” not be played. He felt that the country had endured too much frustration from their government with the conclusion of Vietnam and the Watergate scandal. He felt that they needed to see a leader who was humble and not above the common citizen. Although most historians will not put Carter at the top of the Best Presidents’ List, as a man and citizen, you would find few people who excelled in his common sense and strong faith. The common thread in all those who spoke about Carter’s life was his sense of commitment. From his sense of commitment to his country, wanting to serve in the Navy from a young age and gaining entrance into the United States Naval Academy, to his commitment to his role as a naval officer, to his commitment to return home after his designated service, giving up the dream of a career in the Navy when his father died and went home to run the family farm to save it. He lived a life of commitment to his family and to his country again, when he felt the calling to run for President. His family said, “President of what?” When he told them he wanted to run for President. He felt the calling to run. After loosing the race for a second term, at age 56, he began his career of service, post President. Carter and his wife Roselyn championed many causes from Habitat for Humanity to traveling to countries not known for fair elections to monitor their process. He also resumed his position teaching Sunday school back in Plains, Georgia. Jimmy Carter felt, lived and honored his commitments in life to his family, his community, the country and to God. Making a commitment mattered to him. The consequences of his living a life of commitments and following through resulted in long, meaningful relationships, a loving marriage a strong family, a nurturing community and life lived in his Christian Faith which got him through the tough times.
Consequences. They say in physics that there is a reaction for every action. Likewise, there are consequences in life for everything. If you are a good friend, you will have friends. If you work hard in school, you will get good grades. If you are a person who follows through on your commitments you will have success personally and professionally. Recently, we have seen a cast of characters who have not followed through on commitments and the results are being lived out right in front of us. Parents who don’t follow through on commitments to raise children who are responsible adults become problems for society. We have seen parents (some even college professor, who should know better) raise spoiled brats who break the laws. The consequences for some of these individuals is that they end up in prison (think Sam Bankman Fried). Some dodge prison with a presidential pardon, even for crimes they have not been convicted of, yet. No doubt though, there are consequences for them, in terms of loss of credibility, and self worth and some, we may not see play out in public.
For those in leadership roles in society, especially those who take an oath on a Bible and or before God, they promise before God to protect those they are entrusted to and to do the job to the best of their ability, “so help them God.” Those individuals who do not follow through on their commitments, the consequences are numerous and severe. Whether it is a husband, mayor, governor, President or any other leader, people can be harmed, die or experience catastrophic loss. Good lessons to be learned. To those to much (responsibility) is given, much is expected. Food thought this week…Prays to the family of President Jimmy Carter this week, the families who lost or who have loved ones who were harmed in the tragedy in New Orleans on New Year’s Day and the people of California affected by the fires. May God be with them all in their time of need ❤️
