GEORGE WASHINGTON

            I have been reading George Washington, An Illustrated Biography by David A. Adler.  I am not going to lie, the pictures aren’t as great as the text.  I wish there was more photographs back then, but I guess I should appreciate sketches a little more.  Okay, now I am getting distracted from what I really wanted to talk about. 

            A few weeks ago, I mentioned on this blog that I was reading this book, and how crazy I was about it.  We’ve all grown up hearing about George Washington, and what a hero he was for our nation.  What I didn’t know about G.W. was that he was such a religious man.  My favorite story from the book is about when G.W. was sworn into office.  He was very fearful about becoming the President of the United States.  I have to respect someone so completely humble as he was.  I am sure that it was one of the qualities that attracted the people into selecting him in the first place.

            When G.W. took his oath, he had the Bible opened to a passage that he had selected himself.  Afterward, he kissed the Bible and added a prayer, “So help me God!” (Adler 9).  I loved the scripture reference that he chose: Genesis 15.  Adler quoted the words from this chapter, “Do not be afraid.  Am I a substitute for God?”  Adler added that G.W. knew he would not rule this nation, but would lead it (9). 

            Let me share with you a portion of the first official speech from the President George Washington, “…it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Council of Nations and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate , to the Liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration, to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge.  In rendering the homage to the great author of every public and private good, I assure myself that expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow citizens at large, less than either” (12).

 I could quote the whole speech.  It moves me to know the resounding faith in God that Washington had.  And, he had the courage to share that belief with the entire country.  I loved this speech, but I saved the best for last.  Washington again recognized the hand of the Lord as he finished his talking, “…I shall take my present leave, but not without resorting to once more the benign parent of the human race, in humble supplication, that since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government, for the security of their union, and the advancement of their happiness; so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views…and the wise measure on which the success of this government must depend” (12).

During this crucial time of the presidential elections, we must look back at our history.  What did the Founding Fathers want for our Nation?  They wanted us to be happy, so they built a country based on sound principles, inspired by God.   Because of those courageous men, we have so many precious freedoms. 

However, the very fabric of our Nation is wearing thin because of the attacks on the constitution made by the citizens, politicians, and even our current President.  It is our duty to elect good leaders.  If we fail to protect our Nation, then our Nation will fail us.  We will see our freedoms disappear one by one.  We will watch as the goodness in our country is trampled underfoot.  Sadly, that process has already begun.

The Solution is to rediscover the truths that George Washington knew so well.  The true founder of this country is not man, but God.  He will advance our happiness, and secure our union.  George Washington knew it.  Do we? 

It’s my prayer that this November we elect the man that most emulated the qualities of George Washington.  -And most importantly, the man that represents the same values.  It is my belief that if we do this, than our economy will be recovered, as well as our good name to the world.  When the Lord is on our side, the windows of heaven will pour out the blessings, that there will not be room enough to receive it!