Farewell Jimmy Carter

Farewell and Godspeed

As the world bids so long to former President Jimmy Carter, I will just share this wonderful photo of Jimmy with my Mom and Dad. They were “hard Democrats” as my mother used to call themselves, so supporting such a devout church goer and hard worker and helper around the world was an easy choice. Please note how firmly Jimmy held Dad’s hand in that photo, literally helping Dad with his cane (cane not visible in the photo). So many are paying deserved tribute these January days to this fine man.

Dad is holding his cane in the right hand, and Carter helps him be steady. Photo sometime between 1992-2004.

My daughters and I were also privileged to hear Carter speak at a Mennonite Church Convention in Orlando, Florida in 1997.

Mr. Carter reminded those at that convention that the word Christian literally means “little Christ.” He explained that “every time I make the claim, ‘I’m a Christian,’ I am saying I am a little Christ.”

I looked up the origins of that term and here is what I found at Christianity.com: “Scholars say ‘Christian’ comes from the Greek word christianos, meaning “little Christ.” Stories say the term was used as a jeer, as their enemies would poke fun at them by calling them diminutive versions of their Savior — as in, “Look at those ‘little Christs.’”

I like Carter’s explanation. He said “We do not claim this in a proud, boastful way. Instead, we are to strive in every way to be as loving, giving, humble, wise and self-sacrificing as Christ was and is.” The wordplay helps remind us that Christians need to be aware of that truth and live it every day.

So long to Jimmy Carter. He is enjoying a holiday from his many efforts and reunion with his dear wife, Rosalynn. I was privileged to receive a personal letter from her thanking me and others when our organization, Mennonite Media, included her in a documentary sharing her long journey at the Carter Center in Atlanta, working to help those suffering from mental illness.

I will remind us that no matter what you think of Mr. Carter’s politics or the job he did as president, in his years after his presidency he demonstrated over and over again what a loving, gentle, daily walk he had as a “little Christ.”

May we be and do the same.

Parts of this appeared in a devotional I wrote for Rejoice! Magazine. More devotionals or a subscription from Mennonite Media can be found here.