“In Order to form a more perfect Union” Pray ~ Vote ~ keep Praying

Lord “Thou hast given so much to me … give one thing more. A grateful heart” ~ George Herbert

America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain Divine!

“We the People” have come to another historic election. Tomorrow many American’s will go to their polls & cast their vote. Millions have already mailed in or dropped off their ballot due to COVID-19 

(we’ll see how that goes because the numbers are historic)

With uncounted others, I vote for candidates that best represent the vision & values of America. 

With uncounted others, I vote for candidates who pledge to preserve the principles & precepts of our Constitution.

By wisdom, our Founding Fathers knew that *“God governs in the affairs of men”* and thus sought His High Counsel in the creation of our Constitution.

“Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.” ~ James Madison, Signer of the Constitution; Fourth President of the United States

I pray for & vote for: Peace through strength. Good citizenship. Civility. Good governance. Good stewardship. Fiscal prudence. Personal responsibility. A work ethic that seeks to contribute rather than seeks to take. A mindset of earning one’s way by merit: through hard work, honesty, respect for self & respect for others.

With uncounted others, I pray for SAFE communities, SAFE neighborhoods and SAFE schools.

With uncounted others, pray that more will gain this attitude: “love thy neighbor as thyself”

However, the election turns out, with uncounted others, I will continue to pray.

Pray for America to remain “the land of the free & the home of the brave.”

Pray that “We the People” will be a GRATEFUL people.

Pray for our President ... even if he did not receive my vote.

(I have “endured” Presidents that I did not cast a vote for. Endured for even 8 years. Yet, I’m still alive ;~)

With uncounted others pray for wisdom for our leaders in every level of government.

2020 has brought an even greater need for clear vision. For better vision. Along with every nation on planet earth, we are collectively confronted with an unexpected virus but LIFE must go on. “This too will pass”

All the more need for prayer & patience & perseverance.

I am a grateful person.

I am a grateful American.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue; it is the parent of all other virtues.” ~ Cicero

Gratitude is the quality we want to see in the hearts of our children.

Gratitude is the quality God wants to see in the hearts of His children.

Gratitude is the quality that can turn tides ... calm sides and unify divides.

I am grateful for family, for friends and for food on my table. Grateful for each day of life.

I am grateful for uncounted “unsung heroes” How blessed we are to have uncounted servant-heart heroes:

“First Responders” (firefighters-police officers-paramedics) ... And the medical professionals serving on the front lines in hospitals during this COVID-19 challenge ... And those who serve on the front lines in our military & National Guard ... And for organizations like FEMA that are “prepared, responsive and committed” to help & serve ... And for volunteers & faith groups who selflessly go to the aid of people in need … often providing help from their own resources.

I am grateful for FREEDOM and the sacrifice of those who made-make our freedom possible.

... Freedom should NEVER be confused with “free”

... In Truth: nothing of enduring value is “free” … except God’s good Grace and the air we breathe.

                                                                     Coming Coming to America ~ Neal Diamond

I am especially grateful that our days and our times are in God’s Able hands.

I am grateful for America’s Providential history & the vision imparted to our Founding Fathers.

I leave you with a glimpse of that Providence. This testimony of Benjamin Franklin in a pivotal moment during the Constitutional Convention that found them “groping in the dark”

About five weeks into the Constitutional Convention of 1787 when they were attempting to draft the U. S. Constitution, their efforts were a signal failure. As things were beginning to break up and delegates return home to their states, Benjamin Franklin challenged them and called them to prayer. 

Saying ...

“In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were , and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . . And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”

Other references:

https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/

https://www.docsoffreedom.org/

The Preamble to the Constitution

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The Constitution

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-constitution-ratified

The Bill of Rights

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bill-of-rights-is-finally-ratified

“America the Beautiful”

Hillsdale College Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmP9LvHgcaA

"America" ~ Neil Diamond 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ttDUGM-1mU&feature=youtu.be

Special thanks to Chris Guest for the rich reminder in song of the sojourners who made their way to America. Many came by great sacrifice. Many died before they arrived. Each carrying a DREAM in their suitcase. Each bringing their talents to make America "Great"

November 2nd 2020

In His Light I write

All rights reserved:  Fay Marmalich-Vietmeier 

If my words make you think … Great ;~)

As “iron-sharpens-iron” … I enjoy bantering with other BEES … please know, your feedback is as “honey”

A glimpse of the “Bee” called “me” ;~)

My caring nature makes me an advocate. My curious nature makes me a “queen of questions” … but gifted with the ability to listen ;~) I am a woman of deep faith, a blessed mother, a voracious reader, a blossoming writer, a grateful person, and a lover of beauty … I treasure family, true friendships and my loyal clients ... enjoy traveling, learning, good movies, good wine and golf. I’m a “heart-to-heart” communicator.

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