News that former President Jimmy Carter died today caused me to reflect on meeting him with my family just over eight years ago.
He was teaching Sunday School at his church in Plains, Georgia.
At the age of 91, he was sharp and funny and engaging.
He spoke about the conflict in Syria and about facing trials. He spoke about how people of God depicted in the Bible faced many trials - and not always with patience and grace.
He encouraged the audience packed into the small church to face life secure in the knowledge that in trials personal and global, God is present.
Gerald Ford was President when I was born. Carter served in the early years - the ones I mostly don’t remember.
However, his service to our country continued well beyond his Presidency - in his work at the Carter Center and with Habitat for Humanity.
Here’s another reflection on Carter that includes a comparison to our current political climate: