A Moment From De Sales

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“So Help Me God.”

One thing that God likes to do is help his creation do the best they can.  Nothing gives God more pleasure than to fill our weakness with his strength so what we do praises God.  This is why God loves hearing the last four words of the oath of office for the President of the United States: “So help me God.”

Isn’t it remarkable that such a powerful world leader ends his pledge of office with these humbling words?  The US president is commander-in-chief of the largest armed forces in the world.  And he will make daily decisions that touch millions of lives within and outside the fifty states and has more clout standing behind his words than any other leader.  Yet he says: “So help me God” as he begins his term of office.

We may ask why?  The answer is simple.  More than anyone else the US President needs God’s grace to do his task the best way possible.  In fact, everything the President does is through God’s mercy, love, and grace.

This is the way God wants all his followers to live on earth, i.e., with God’s asked for assistance.  It is meant for everyone: the postal carrier, the window washer of the Capitol building, and the signer of bills making laws from the oval office.  We need God’s help to accomplish them well.  And we can be certain that God enjoys supporting us. “So help me God!”

“Walk joyously through life and if at times you cannot, walk at least with faith and courage”.

-St Francis de Sales