Strength for the Task at Hand
I am listening again to The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge, a book that always encourages me. I am grateful that Ray included it as one of the suggested literature titles that accompany his high school Exploring Government. The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge is in itself a short course on civics.
I am listening to the 2021 edition of Coolidge’s autobiography, edited and introduced by Amity Shlaes and Matthew Denhart. Shlaes is the chair of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation board of trustees. This edition includes an afterword about Grace Coolidge, written by Calvin and Grace Coolidge’s great-granddaughter, Jennifer Coolidge Harville, granddaughter of the Coolidge’s first son, John Coolidge.
John, Grace, and Calvin Coolidge
Coolidge believed that when God makes someone president, He gives that person specific help to do the job well. Coolidge recognized this help in his own presidency. According to Jennifer Coolidge Harville, Grace Coolidge also believed that God gave her help to do the job of first lady.
Coolidge honored Grace with this praise in his autobiography: “For almost a quarter of a century she has borne with my infirmities, and I have rejoiced in her graces.” He also said that he and Grace “thought they were made for each other.”
President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge at the White House
Jennifer Harville described her great-grandmother as an extraordinary woman. She was the first first lady to vote for her husband in a national election. The 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. That November 2, Grace Coolidge voted for Warren G. Harding for president and her husband Calvin Coolidge for vice president, not knowing that in August of 1923, he would become president of the United States and she would be first lady.
Daniel said,
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.”
Daniel 2:21
First Lady Grace Coolidge
Grace enjoyed serving as first lady, including the important role of hostess, saying that the role did not overwhelm her. She wrote her sorority sisters that she was performing a God-given task. She said that she could almost feel strength poured into her.
Grace Coolidge (in white hat)
and Calvin Coolidge (holding white hat)
welcome disabled veterans at a garden party
on the grounds of the White House.
Grace Coolidge (with bow at her neck)
with children dressed in colonial costumes
at the White House
As a homeschooling mama, you may have many days when you don’t feel up to the tasks before you, but the same God Who gave Calvin and Grace Coolidge the help they needed to fulfill their roles will help you fulfill yours, too.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
Psalm 28:7