Yesterday afternoon shortly after arriving home from MBS. I sat down to finish up a few projects that were left over from the day. When I turned on my computer I had an email from one of our MBS parents who has become a special friend. In her email she shared that she had been watching George W. Bush deliver his father’s eulogy. She said that the eulogy had opened her eyes to the impact that leaders, teachers, parents have on children. She said that as she watched she did not understand why she felt compelled to email me and chalked it up to the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, rather than working I was watching the moving eulogy of our former president, becoming emotional and thinking much the same thing.
What are some of the things our children learn from leaders, teachers and parents. According to our former president, George W Bush; George H. W. Bush taught him a lot. Below are some of the things he learned from his dad.
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how to grow old with dignity, humor, kindness and joy
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how to relate to people from all walks of life
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how to be empathetic
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how to value character over pedigree
· how to look for the good in each person and all things
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service is noble and necessary and that one can serve with integrity and hold true important values like faith and family.
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that serving others enriches the givers soul
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how to be a true and loyal friend and nurture those friendships
· how to be a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather
· how to be firm in principle
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how to encourage and comfort
· how to respond with unconditional love
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how to be a great husband – adoring and dedicated
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how to serve with integrity, courage and acts of love in your heart
What a moving tribute to a true American patriot. He was one of a kind. As the well-known poem states, “children learn what they live.” Let us strive always to be half the role model President H. W. Bush was for his wife, children, grandchildren, our country and our world.
As I close I cannot get the image of President H. W. Bush’s service dog, Sully, lying in front of his casket, loyally watching over him. Tomorrow, as this great man is laid to rest, let us keep him and his family in our prayers.
Matthew 25:
23 “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
In Christ,
Cheri Gioe
