Bob Hall from Christchurch, New Zealand [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)%5D

The United States of America: 50 states, 5 territories and a federal capitol district, each (well, most of them) with their own state / territorial motto.

Some of them are fiery, a reflection of the revolution that bore our country (Sic Semper Tyranus, or “Thus always to tyrants” [Virginia]; “Live free or die!” [New Hampshire]).

Others are a bit strange, certain to mean something to the locals but just odd-sounding without proper context (“John is his name” [Puerto Rico]; “By and by” [Washington]).

My home state is the “Crossroads of America.”  (A shout out to my fellow Hoosiers!)

But my favorites are the inspirational mottos.

“God enriches” (Arizona).

“Samoa, let God be first” (American Samoa).

And, best of all, Ohio’s motto.  They went straight to the Bible for theirs: “With God all things are possible”.  Right from Matthew 19:26.  Verbatim.

It’s a beautiful motto to live by.

It’s a wonderful truth to cling to.

Here’s the bad news: we can do nothing on our own.  We are utterly reliant on God.

And, here’s the good news: we can do nothing on our own.  We are utterly reliant on God.

And God, our Heavenly Father loves us.  Cares for us.  Forgives us.  Sets our paths straight.

He knows our needs.  He hears our prayers.  When God seems silent, He’s not.  He’s working on our behalf.  He’s taking care of all the details.

And, when God’s timing is right… wow!  Be ready.  The LORD may move in ways beyond your dreams, beyond your expectations.  There is nothing beyond His ability.  Nobody beyond His grasp.  Nowhere He can’t reach you.  No one He cannot save.  No situation He cannot repair.

With God, nothing – nothing – is impossible.  Now that is a motto to live by.  Even better than Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice: If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you (Michigan).

(c) 2019 by Chris Courtney.  All rights reserved.

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