WARREN HARDING BOLIN

“The first key to greatness is to be in reality what we appear to be.”    Socrates

Two big events occurred 100 years ago this week. First, Warren Harding was elected president – in a landslide. Second, my father was born. My Republican grandparents named him Warren Harding Bolin. 

My father’s namesake was wildly popular until the president's sudden death a few years later. Then scandals within his administration emerged, and sordid extramarital affairs surfaced. Today scholars rate Harding as one of our worst presidents. 

Popularity is overrated.

Paul shared his prayer for the believers in Colossae – not for fame but for lives that pleased God. “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)

Unlike President Harding, my dad lived a life of relative obscurity. After my father's death five-years ago, no scandals appeared and no dark secrets came to light. Just a boatload of kind comments and words of appreciation.

Most people assumed dad taught math and coached football. His former students and players who attended his funeral knew better. Dad served God and worked to know Him better while teaching high school students and coaching football players. 

Dan Bolin

President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc