Last Friday, the UK and the world lost a formidable political giant. Ian Paisley did indeed have a booming voice. His presence was intimidating. His heart was solid gold.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ian Paisley when I was in college. I shook his hand and he nodded greeting me politely in his thick Irish brogue. Once a year, he attended my alma mater for yearly meetings. I remember how disappointed the school was when it was the second year in a row that he would not make it due to health and political issues and we knew he was probably never coming back. We never got to say goodbye.
Of all the speakers we heard that year I met him, he stood out to me. He wasn’t just a success in the pulpit or a great teacher. He was a man that stirred strong feelings among those who knew him. Yet he stuck to his convictions and everyone respected his wisdom and ability to navigate political waters. Those who didn’t like his politics still respected him as a person.
He left his mark on the world and he will be missed.
So long, Lord Ian Paisley. See you on the other side.
