May God give you…

For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

The Luck O’ the Irish

We have all heard at one time or another, the old adage: “The luck of the Irish!”

A rather bold pronouncement widely known through out the decades that brings to mind images of tiny men all dressed in green, rainbows ending in pots of gold, and don’t forget the lucky shamrock.

As children, our lack of statistical knowledge never got in the way of our blissfully forging ahead, undaunted, and undeterred in our efforts to find just one four leaf clover. We knew full well that once we found it, we would forever have that magical “luck o’the Irish.” Like a treasured keepsake, we would ever so carefully wrap it up in clear cellophane and place it between the pages of our family Bible for safe keeping.

Lots of us must admit,  as kids, we spent many a sunny afternoon ankle deep in clover patches searching for that very special talisman. Not an easy task, considering that there are approximately 10,000 “three leafer’s” to every “one”  of the four-leafed variety.

So…the question must be asked, “Is it really true, that the Irish are blessed with luck? On this first weekend in March, let’s look at a little “Irish history.”

St. Patrick (who by the way was a native Brit) at the very young age of sixteen was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders. One day, he found God in the rolling hills while herding sheep. He escaped, and later became a Catholic Bishop. A burning desire came over him to returned to Ireland and bring faith to the Pagans who still followed in the Druid religion. He received inspiration from God to use the three leaf clover to explain the trinity to his flocks, (descendants of the Celts and Viking invaders) who found themselves steeped in the ancient  religion of magic, worshiping the many gods of the earth and forests.

The four leafed clover however, symbolized God’s melting the Druid beliefs with the trinity of the Christian beliefs. Irish soldiers conscripted into the British army began wearing the shamrock on their uniform lapels because they had been blessed by St. Patrick and so believed that they were on God’s side and therefore safely protected by Him.

Now, hundreds of years later we share that common foundation of a blessed Christian heritage, one that is based upon the clear understanding that God IS…on our side! (Psalm 124:1-2) We adhere to a steadfast faith that is NOT based upon matters of sheer luck, but rooted and grounded in the truth that God’s Sovereignty rules and reigns within a people who are called by His Great Name!

The meaning of the word “luck” is defined as: “Circumstances that lead to a favorable outcome.” But we like to call our favorable outcomes by another name…GOD’S BLESSINGS!”

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. (Deuteronomy 28:6-8)

Yes, it’s a wonderful privilege to be counted among the approximately forty million Irish descendants who trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. It is even more of a blessing to know that I am a royal heir to the Heavenly throne and in line to receive every spiritual blessing bestowed upon those who are called, “Sons and Daughters” of the King of Kings!

This “Irish lass” has seen the other side of the rainbow and found her ‘Pot of Gold’ and His name is Jesus Christ—the very Maker of the rainbows, the gold, the shamrocks and most of all—the blessings of the glorious wealth of our heritage!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For how well He understands us and knows what is best for us at all times. Ephesians 1:3, 8