Family Discussion: Lindsey Graham (1955-2026)
The following article is designed to help parents dialogue about a current event with their children. It was written at a 7th grade reading level.
READ
Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly Saturday night at age 71.
The Republican from South Carolina had just returned to Washington from Ukraine, where he had been discussing the war with Russia. His staff team said he gave no sign of feeling unwell. A preliminary examination suggests he died of a tear in his body’s main artery by the heart.
Mr. Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and was running for a fifth term. The retired Air Force colonel was at the head of the Senate team that decides how the country spends money. He was a close ally of President Trump, and he was influential in discussions about national defense and foreign policy. Mr. Trump called the South Carolinian “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.”
SC Gov. McMaster (R) chose Graham’s sister to fill his seat until the end of his term (January 3, 2027). Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in Tuesday (read about her here). She said the brother who raised her through her teens “has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him.” South Carolinians will hold a special election on August 11 to choose the Republican candidate for November’s ballot.
In other news from the Upper Chamber, Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky broke his silence to give a health update. The 84-year-old Republican was hospitalized several weeks ago. Sunday, he said he was hospitalized due to a fall and can’t “return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet.”
REFLECT
What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
Politicians often spend decades in public life, making decisions that earn both passionate supporters and fierce critics. But nobody's life fits neatly into “all good” or “all bad.” We're all a mix of courage and cowardice, wisdom and foolishness, kindness and selfishness.
This makes politicians human beings in need of God’s grace. None of us can earn our way into God's favor by our best days and we're not disqualified by our worst: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24 CSB). Praise God!
What do I want my kids to know in light of this story?
The death of a public figure can be a time to audit one's heart: What does my reaction say about what I really value?
If my knee-jerk reaction is to despair over what this means for my party’s Senate seats instead of grieving a human life, or if I see a political opponent’s death as a political win… my focus has shifted from Jesus to my political team. Following Jesus means that agreeing on policy or politics is not a prerequisite for love: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 CSB).
RESPOND
Write a letter to a public servant together. Consider making a lil’ gratitude sandwich: start with gratitude, tell them one thing you appreciate about their service, one thing you’d hope they focus on or get done, and end with one more thank you.
Memorize: Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (CSB).
Pray for hopeful living in light of death with Psalm 90:12 as your guide: Gracious Giver of Life, teach me to number my days and keep their end ever before me, that I might learn to fear You and gain wisdom for whatever lifespan You give. Grow a hope for future glory in me, that it might overflow in my grieving world. Amen.
Credit: Decaf (The Pour Over for Families). "Lindsey Graham (1955-2026)" July 16, 2026.