It finally happened: Jimmy Carter died yesterday at the age of 100. His tenure as President had mixed reviews, trying to assert the United States as a moral force in the world during tumultuous times, especially in Central America, when a surge of refugees fled repressive regimes. He spearheaded the Refugee Act of 1980 codifying asylum.
After a humiliating loss to Reagan in 1980, he returned to his home town and worked for more than 50 years building houses for Habitat for Humanity and established the Carter Center, working in more than 80 countries to improve mental health care, prevent diseases, and, most importantly, to advance human rights.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, he was often seen as a naïve idealist, but his deep and abiding faith in God was the foundation of his life. He acted on his beliefs, a lesson for all of us.
Prayer for the Day
God of memories, old and new, beautiful and sad,
Grace us with your presence in our lives;
God of promise, mend us and heal us,
And enable us to embrace the future.
Set us free from what has bound us to the past
Freeing us to catch a glimpse of your kingdom.
In the name of the One who shows us how to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We’ll never know whether something new and wonderful is possible unless we try. Let’s scratch our heads, stretch our minds, be adventurous! Serve God with boldness, and who knows what wonders the Lord may work?
Jimmy Carter, statement to the press in Plains
I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States.
Jimmy Carter, from A Call to Action
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
Who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends,
Nor take up a roach against their neighbors.
Palm 15: 1-3