“I know my brother is in Heaven and that I will see him again one day, but until then I will carry on his legacy,” remarked Senator Darline Graham at Senator Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) 16th annual South Carolina Senate Prayer Breakfast. Darline is the sister of former Senator Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly on July 11. Darline was sworn in as his replacement to the U.S. Senate on July 14. 

Scott hosts the breakfast as a time for South Carolina’s leaders to share fellowship, values, and reflect on the role of faith in public service, but this year was special, doubling as a tribute to Scott’s friend and longtime colleague. 

“South Carolina had a friend in Lindsey Graham, America had a statesman in Lindsey Graham, and I had a brother from a different mother in Lindsey Graham,” Scott shared. “I believe that Lindsey is in heaven. And frankly, I do not believe that for any reason on earth Lindsey would want to come back. So this should be a day of celebration. And while our hearts might be heavy… I’m also incredibly grateful for the time and the energy and all the colorful words I learned from Lindsey Graham along the way. … Lindsey taught me that you should hold on to your convictions, even if it costs you.”

For the South Carolina senator, convictions stemmed from his Christian faith. 

“What I’ve learned is you’ve got to love South Carolina peaches, and you gotta love Jesus. And it’s probably in that order,” Brennen Britton, a veteran Senate staffer, said. Brennen spoke on the theme verse for the event, Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

“We’re called to use our tongue to speak life into one another, to lift up your brother or sister’s spirit,” Brennen reminded the audience. “What would the United States Capitol building look like if the couple hundred people in this room made it their job to encourage and build up? What would your home look and feel like? What would your office or your campus feel like if you made this your mission? If you spoke to members of the body of Christ, as Paul did. We must be on offense with encouraging one another … and I think the recipe for solid encouragement is found in our theme verse. It’s rooted in your personal faith and conviction.” 

Midway through the event, Scott asked the staffers of Lindsey in attendance to stand. Upon rising, they were met with applause from the room. 

“Take a look around at Lindsey’s staff. And when this is over, make sure you hug their necks. You shake their hands, and you let them know that we are always South Carolina strong,” Scott instructed, noting that Lindsey considered his staff family. 

In his death, Lindsey leaves a huge void, Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.) said. His life impacted not only South Carolinians or Washingtonians, but the entire world, she continued. 

“God selects imperfect people to do extraordinary things,” Biggs mused, adding that the sentiment made her think of Lindsey’s legacy. 

Scott described how Lindsey treated colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle as opponents, not enemies. “Lindsey built a bridge from the Republican side of the aisle to the Democrat[ic] side of the aisle, because he believed that there were good people on both sides of the aisle. He just happened to be right,” Scott said.

Rep. William Timmons (R-S.C.) recalled a time he watched as Lindsey spoke on a panel with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

“[Hillary Clinton] wasn’t very nice. But as Senator Scott said, she was not [Lindsey’s] enemy. She was his opponent. … He was so graceful, and he turned everything into a quip and a joke, and he just kind of tried to make light of her attacks,” Timmons remembered. 

After the panel, Lindsey, Timmons, and a few others even drank cocktails with Clinton, having a great time. “It just embodies his approach,” Timmons reflected. “The number one thing I learned from Senator Graham is the importance of relationships and of earning your colleagues’ respect and trust.”

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) referenced Esther 4:14: “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

“Lindsey was chosen for such a time as this when he entered this world,” reflected Norman. 

Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) observed that he loved to work with Lindsey on constituent issues. 

“Lindsey believed, I think fundamentally, that this country is an exceptional place. And it is our job to hand over to the next generation the country a little bit better than they found it,” he underscored. “Let’s advance American exceptionalism on the world stage. Let’s bring that back home and better our country. And the country is better because Lindsey Graham served in the Senate, because Lindsey Graham served in the military, because Lindsey Graham served in the House of Representatives. The country is better. And we appreciate that service.”

Fry quoted his favorite Bible verse, 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

“Lindsey has fought the good fight. He has finished the race, and now he is in heaven with his parents and our Heavenly Father. And we thank him for his service to our wonderful state. Thank you, senator.”

Timmons echoed the sentiment, remarking, “He left the world drastically better off than he found it. And we can all hope to do the same.”