God Shed His Grace on Thee

Having married an American citizen and given birth to three more, I naturally have a certain affinity for our neighbours to the south. Since my column happens to come out on the 4^th of July this year, I thought I’d pay tribute.

We Canadians like to mock the Americans, particularly for their ignorance of the rest of the world. And I’ll be the first to admit, it can be pretty funny—and annoying at times. Once, when I was in the States and was asked where I came from, I replied, “Manitoba.”

“Manitoba. Where is that?” the American asked.

“North of North Dakota.”

The American looked at me with a blank expression, as though gazing at the U.S. map on my forehead. “There’s nothing north of North Dakota,” he said.

Home of the brave, indeed.

To be fair, they don’t limit their ignorance to other countries. In a man-on-the-street interview, one young American was asked to name a country that starts with the letter “U.”

After thinking a bit, he answered, “Utah.”

His buddy looked at him, laughed, and said, “that’s a city, dummy!”

“Whatever,” the first guy said. Neither of them could think of a correct answer.

So they won’t win any Geography awards. Still, is there really any other country you’d rather live next to? Okay, Switzerland might be nice. But don’t go running to them for assistance if a war breaks out; they’d maintain their neutrality. And Australia would be fun, if you don’t mind jack rabbits and kangaroos jumping over our common border and overtaking the country. Or maybe you’d prefer to skip the U.S. altogether and live that much closer to Mexico with its sunny beaches … and its average wage of $4.60 per day. Habla usted español?

I happen to think we’re blessed to have such good neighbours. I believe one of the biggest reasons for the United States’ success, though it may no longer be obvious by the actions of many of its leaders, is that the nation was founded firmly on faith in God. Their Declaration of Independence assumes mankind has a Creator. The pledge of allegiance to their flag declares it “one nation, under God.” Even their money is stamped “In God We Trust.” And look what I uncovered in verse four of their national anthem:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

As Americans celebrate their 237^th birthday today, my prayer is that they return to the God in whom they originally trusted. Psalm 33:12 says “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” 

Take note, Canada.

And Happy Birthday, U.S.A.