In a time when the words “Christian values” are often wielded as weapons by those who seem unfamiliar with their essence, your life remains a testament to what they truly mean: love, humility, service, and unyielding moral courage.
As the 39th President of the United States, you brought a quiet dignity to the Oval Office, pursuing peace where others stoked conflict. Your leadership in brokering the Camp David Accords showed the world that diplomacy, grounded in faith and principle, could triumph over cynicism and division. And while history has recognized your presidency more kindly with each passing year, it is your post-presidency that stands as the gold standard of what an ex-president can and should be.
From eradicating diseases to building homes for those in need, your work with the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity has been an unparalleled legacy of compassion. You didn’t retreat to a gilded life of grift and spectacle but chose instead to labor humbly, embodying your spiritual call to serve “the least of these.”
In an era defined by loud self-aggrandizement and moral bankruptcy—where some falsely claim your faith while trampling its core tenets—you are proof that decency is not weakness and that true greatness lies in the quiet, steadfast work of lifting others up.
Thank you, President Carter, for showing us what goodness looks like.
THANK YOU. His gift this moment is the example he set for soooo many things, including what Christian values used to mean, and should mean always. There are so many Christians trying to hold onto this beauty when other Christians are contaminated with racist motives, greed, and naked manosphere toxic masculinity. I keep grieving the Christianity I loved and lost. Thanks you, Mersault ..
He set an example that no one else has followed. He lived his faith throughout his life. You didn’t mention the infamous Playboy interview he did where he admitted that he had had lustful thoughts of other women besides his wife. (Lust was the word they used I think). It was shocking at the time that a politician admitted such a thing publicly.
It was thrilling to see Jimmy and Rosalyn walk down Pennsylvania Ave when I was in law school. And I was part of the peanut brigade talking people to the polls for that election.
A presidency and post presidency full of consequential actions that helped so many people. Moving to DC just before the election I was living on Capitol Hill and was able to walk to the Capitol for the inauguration. Washington was a much different place back then.
I've been sorting through a lifetime of papers and photos today. I came across some pictures from the year I worked for the DOJ in Washington, D.C. I couldn't remember if Jimmy Carter was president then, so I googled it at 4:30 PM. A huge banner appeared at the top of the screen, which said "JIMMY CARTER DIED AT 4:20 PM TODAY". I literally felt in shock, as if I were in a time warp. He was the most wonderful person to be president in my lifetime. It is thanks to him and the Carter Center that he and Rosalynn created, that I had the incredible experience of having H.H. the Dalai Lama personally bless our 6-month-old daughter. The world has been blessed with his time here, following all the dictates of his Savior. He is a personal who literally walked the walk. Jimmy is now reunited with his beloved Rosalynn.
••••
An Open Letter to President Jimmy Carter
Dear President Carter,
In a time when the words “Christian values” are often wielded as weapons by those who seem unfamiliar with their essence, your life remains a testament to what they truly mean: love, humility, service, and unyielding moral courage.
As the 39th President of the United States, you brought a quiet dignity to the Oval Office, pursuing peace where others stoked conflict. Your leadership in brokering the Camp David Accords showed the world that diplomacy, grounded in faith and principle, could triumph over cynicism and division. And while history has recognized your presidency more kindly with each passing year, it is your post-presidency that stands as the gold standard of what an ex-president can and should be.
From eradicating diseases to building homes for those in need, your work with the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity has been an unparalleled legacy of compassion. You didn’t retreat to a gilded life of grift and spectacle but chose instead to labor humbly, embodying your spiritual call to serve “the least of these.”
In an era defined by loud self-aggrandizement and moral bankruptcy—where some falsely claim your faith while trampling its core tenets—you are proof that decency is not weakness and that true greatness lies in the quiet, steadfast work of lifting others up.
Thank you, President Carter, for showing us what goodness looks like.
Rest in Peace.
Sincerely, A Grateful Admirer
https://substack.com/@patricemersault
THANK YOU. His gift this moment is the example he set for soooo many things, including what Christian values used to mean, and should mean always. There are so many Christians trying to hold onto this beauty when other Christians are contaminated with racist motives, greed, and naked manosphere toxic masculinity. I keep grieving the Christianity I loved and lost. Thanks you, Mersault ..
He set an example that no one else has followed. He lived his faith throughout his life. You didn’t mention the infamous Playboy interview he did where he admitted that he had had lustful thoughts of other women besides his wife. (Lust was the word they used I think). It was shocking at the time that a politician admitted such a thing publicly.
It was thrilling to see Jimmy and Rosalyn walk down Pennsylvania Ave when I was in law school. And I was part of the peanut brigade talking people to the polls for that election.
How marvelous!! And how marvelous this ability in both of them to simply be sooooooo goooooood.
Your column is deeply moving, and the best description and summation of Jimmy's life. He would be very happy.
A presidency and post presidency full of consequential actions that helped so many people. Moving to DC just before the election I was living on Capitol Hill and was able to walk to the Capitol for the inauguration. Washington was a much different place back then.
A highlight of my life was meeting Jimmy Carter in 1976. What a remarkable and kind man!!!!!
I can't stop sobbing.
I was sobbing, too, when I found out. I had to call my friend from my time in Washington, D.C. for support.
I've been sorting through a lifetime of papers and photos today. I came across some pictures from the year I worked for the DOJ in Washington, D.C. I couldn't remember if Jimmy Carter was president then, so I googled it at 4:30 PM. A huge banner appeared at the top of the screen, which said "JIMMY CARTER DIED AT 4:20 PM TODAY". I literally felt in shock, as if I were in a time warp. He was the most wonderful person to be president in my lifetime. It is thanks to him and the Carter Center that he and Rosalynn created, that I had the incredible experience of having H.H. the Dalai Lama personally bless our 6-month-old daughter. The world has been blessed with his time here, following all the dictates of his Savior. He is a personal who literally walked the walk. Jimmy is now reunited with his beloved Rosalynn.