This week our nation mourns the loss of our 39th president, Jimmy Carter.
With grief comes reflection on a life well lived.
There’s no doubt President Carter made an impact on [millions] of Americans.
As for this senator, in 1976, I was on the ballot as a congressman for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district, and, of course, Jimmy Carter was on that same ballot.
Now, he and I were bit by different political bugs, but we have a similar foundation - two small town boys, anchored in our faith.
As the only sitting member of Congress today who served under the Carter presidency, I remember him fondly.
[...] I don’t know exactly what year it was, but I was in Iowa, and he made a phone call to me.
He was on his way to Nicaragua to observe whether or not a presidential election at that time was going to be a fair election and asked me if I would go along with him.
I said the work of the Senate didn't allow me to do it at that particular time, so obviously I regretted that.
Another time, I think this was in the 2000s period of time, maybe around 2003, 2004 or 2005, he asked if I would come and speak to a Baptist group in Atlanta, Georgia that he was leading.
I had that opportunity to be there and to have private conversation with him and his wife, the former first lady.
Carter answered the call to serve his nation in many different ways.
We remember [him] as a naval officer and his call to serve in public service, as our president of the United States and his call to serve those in need after leaving the White House.
1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
The light of the Lord shown through President Carter’s life of service.
He used these gifts to serve others, even beyond the borders of the United States.
We say goodbye during this time, to this man of many talents.
We know about his background as a peanut farmer, we know about his background as a naval officer, and more famously as our 39th president and lastly as a homebuilder, as he worked with organizations building homes for the needy.
Now we remember him as he is in his heavenly home.
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