The Silver Lining of Tim Russert

Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. "My silver has been returned," he said to his brothers. "Here it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, "What is this that God has done to us?" (Genesis 42:25-28)

Today is the funeral for Tim Russert, the gregarious host of Meet The Press and political pundit for NBC News. In the wake of his unexpected heart attack five days ago, accolades, adulation and affirmations have marked his memory. His life, by those who knew him best, was framed by faith in God (he was a devout Catholic) and family. He also loved his country and was passionate about politics. Who can forget his exuberant 2000 election insight, hastily scrawled on a portable whiteboard: “Florida, Florida, Florida?” He also coined the terms “red” (Republican) and “blue” (Democrat) states.

Tim Russert was an eternal optimist. His book about “Big Russ” (his father) renewed faith in our fathers. Tom Brokaw commented how Tim always had a smile. His colleagues fondly recall his positive attitude, work ethic and desire to make a difference. He never let his head swell or grow too big for his britches. He remembered his roots and helped others to take flight. That’s what made Russert a “silver lining” type of guy. So what if it rained occasionally, don’t miss the rainbows. If life pitches a curveball, slap a single and call it good. Even if you foul out, there’s still another at bat. What makes lemonade tasteful is both the sour and the sweet. No wonder he always smiled.

Maybe Russert learned his life lessons from Joseph. After all, Joseph also viewed life through a positive lens (most dreamers and visionaries do). Despite jealousy and imprisonment, false accusations and servitude, Joseph recognized life is too short for hard feelings, planned revenge, sharp retorts, or repressed hate. He could’ve buried his brothers in Egypt. All of them. He could’ve tossed them in prison for no reason (like he was). He could’ve stolen their silver and sent them home empty-handed. Joseph could’ve forced them to bow, bend or break. But instead he lined their lives with silver. He loaded their luggage with grace and grain. He even gave his brothers “provisions for the journey.”

It’s no wonder they were puzzled at the revelation of finding the money with the grain. Full bellies. Full lunchboxes. Full sacks of grain. And now the real silver lining was their own silver. And yet, they somehow missed the blessing. The fortune in their possession brought fear. The bounty in their bags “sank their hearts.” You’d think generosity would evoke gratitude but instead it created torture and trembling. “What has God done to us?” they confessed. They think we’re spies. We were jailed. Simeon still is. We’ve got to face dad again and somehow bring back Ben. And now they’re going to think we didn’t pay. Or worse, stole the grain. Why is all this happening to us?

But I’ve got a different question: Why is it when blessings line a life, no matter the trial or test, it’s hard to see the truth? You’d think the Brothers Grim would be jumping for joy over Joseph’s gift. He serviced their trip, filled their bags and returned their money. It was a free gift. It was grace. And yet, they hardened their hearts toward terror and depression. They saw the glass half empty. They turned their backs to beat the rain and missed the rainbow. I think Joseph just wanted his brothers to realize every cloud can have a silver lining. You’ll get your grain. Simeon will be safe. God will provide. I trust you. Life is good.

The Tim Russerts and Josephs in life beg for us not to lose grip on the silver linings, whether deserved or not. You can’t dare to dream if you’re allow nightmares to reign. You can’t leave a legacy if fear is your focus. Sometimes life not only lets you go home, it also lines your journey with financial providence and full protection.

In reality, it’s not “what has God done to us?” but “what has God done for us?” that matters. One word makes all the difference. It’s also what makes people take note of your life. It’s what frames attitude, perception and outlook. It’s the difference between leaders and losers, champs and chumps, sweet and sour.

It’s also how you’ll ultimately be remembered. Just ask those who loved Tim Russert.


NOTABLE QUOTABLES ON OPTIMISM:

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. (Gil Stern)

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. (Harry Truman)

A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them. (Leonard Louis Levinson)

The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true. (James Branch Cabell)

Father, life has its curve balls, sliders and change-ups and sometimes we’re overwhelmed by our own fears, frustrations and failures. Help us this day to swing away in confidence, whether we single or strike, homer or foul. May we never miss Your Blessing due to the terror that tries and tests our souls. Thank You for the silver linings. Thank You for the grain that feeds us. And thank You for men like Tim Russert to remind us not to miss the joy in the journey. Amen.