{Truth Behind Tradition}

Happy Monday! And, Happy St. Patrick's Day! (And, happy birthday Mamaw!) Throughout the weekend, loads of Americans donned their best (and sometimes not quite) green attire and celebrated St. Patrick's Day by attending various parades, visiting Irish pubs, and drinking lots of Irish beer. Confession: I wore green today, accidentally. 

St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland who actually hailed from Britain. He was kidnapped at the age of 16 by Irish marauders and held captive for years. During his time there, he converted to Christianity and after escaping vowed to return to Ireland to rid the land of its pagans. He did return to Ireland as a missionary. March 17th marks the day of the religious feast in his honor and also marks the date of his death in the 5th century. And, so we celebrate? I assume this holiday is like others that have been consumer-ized  (I think I may have just invented a word) almost beyond recognition. We wear green and pinch people who do not. Some drink beer and many enjoy parades. We talk of leprechauns, shamrocks,  and the luck of the Irish. But, I wonder how many people know the real story. I am sure many people do, but I could not be counted among them! Bluewas actually the color associated with Saint Patrick.  The Shamrock (which does not exist but resembles clover) was used by Saint Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity and was worn later as a symbol of Irish Christianity not luck. Am I the only one who didn't know?! No matter. 

I never knew the history behind the observance of St. Patrick's Day, nor did I know the story of the man Saint Patrick until a few years ago when something piqued my curiosity. I heard, for the first time, a portion of Saint Patrick's Breastplate prayer. And, wow. It's beautiful. And, powerful. This beautiful prayer reminds me of one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 139.

A portion of the prayer is to follow. I pray the words are like balm to your soul and remind you that He hems us in and has laid His hand upon us. (Ps. 139, NIV) That is good news. Happy news. It's one of the greatest reasons I can think of to celebrate.

So, celebrate big sweet friends. Jesus knows you. Jesus loves you.

From Saint Patrick's Prayer

*Note: The historical info I included came from History.com. 

{#ModelStatus | Guest Blogger, Maddie Grace}

My sweet girl, Maddie Grace, wanted to write a little post for my blog. She is only twelve, but what's she's talking about here is important; and, I am glad that she wants to use her voice to encourage others to reflect Christ. She's growing into quite a beauty, inside and out. God's masterpiece. It makes my heart smile to watch how He's working in her life. Thanks for reading!___ The teacher was late. 10 minutes late. It was 7th period spiritual life class. Me,Daisy, Malcolm and Dalton took action, we ran to the wall and struck awkward model poses. They were very, um...disturbing or model-ish as we might say. We stood frozen, and then the teacher came in. "Hey guys sorry I'm, oh..." He said with just one glimpse of us. We all burst out laughing. Then I started thinking about what a model's purpose is: to "advertise" clothing and make people want to buy it. In the same way, we are God's models. He uses us to go and to advertise his word, his truth and make people want and need Him more. We are called to be a model for God. We are made in his image, specifically for His purpose. You don't have to have the greatest hair or the prettiest face! So just remember, the next time you get an opportunity, model God's truth the best you can. #modelstatus

{Five Minute Friday: Crowd}

Linking up to 5-Minute Friday. Five minutes. Just writing. If you’re up for it, join us.  Find out how here.

Go.

I’m not normally one for a crowd. People can get lost in a crowd.

Jesus seemed to attract a crowd. Crowds followed him. Crowds that were full of curious people who wanted to get a look at Him. But Jesus had a knack for finding one. 

I remember the blind beggar lying on the side of the road as the crowd pushed through in pursuit of Jesus.  The blind guy shouted. The crowd disregarded him and even rebuked him, but Jesus heard him and saw him and healed him.

What about Zaccheus?  He climbed a tree so that he could just catch a glimpse of Jesus.  Jesus saw him and called him by name and invited Himself to lunch and saved him.

Then, there’s the woman who had been sick for years. Twelve years. She pushed her way through the crowd desperate to touch his clothes. Jesus knew that she was there and stopped in his tracks to address her, to heal her.

Yes, people can get lost in a crowd. Or, people may even prefer to blend into the crowd.  Then there are some, like the ones I’ve already mentioned, who will do whatever it takes to be found. And Jesus?  Well, he promises that we will find him when we seek him with all our hearts. Whatever. It. Takes. All that I am. All in.

Why? Because, He’s Jesus. I love Him so. I need Him desperately.

Stop.

{Five Minute Friday: Willing}

It's Friday.  So, I will write. It's been a while.  But, that's ok. Five minutes. No starting and stopping. No editing. Just writing. You want to join me?  I'd thought you'd never ask! Here's where you can find out how to join me (and lots of others). And, go.

Willing.  That’s the word.

Being willing, in my mind, has everything to do with surrender.  It’s submission. It’s letting go. It means being willing to lose my life for Him so that I can find it in Him. It means living with open hands and an open heart.

Willing.

Willing to be bold. Willing to be courageous. Willing to be obedient. Willing to love extravagantly. Willing to be generous. Willing to believe. Willing to trust. Willing to be His. All His.

The good news: If I am willing, then so is He.  He’s more than willing. He never asked anything more of me than for me to be willing. 

And, I am. I am willing to lay my heart and my life wide open in His hands so that He can  do with me what He will.

Stop.

{I Didn't See THAT coming . . .}

This week I met a woman who was brokenhearted. I knew that she lost her husband a few months ago after a 14 year battle with cancer. I knew that she had recently endured surgery and her recovery was estimated to take up to a year. So, before I arrived, I knew.

Even still, I was not prepared for what happened next.

I was there to walk through her home and provide and estimate for residential house cleaning services. She opened her door and greeted us.  "Hi Mrs. X., I'm Valerie. It's nice to meet you. Thank you so much for having us." She responded kindly, thanking us for coming. Then I asked, "How are you today?" {Sidebar: I cannot tell you how often I have been guilty of asking that question already anticipating that the answer is "Fine, thanks."} I do not know why I asked the question.  It simply rolled out of my mouth before I could stop it.  "How are you today?" 

And, then there were tears. She responded, "I'm not so good today." And, more tears.

Suddenly it dawned on me. (Duh!) This was about much more than an estimate for residential house cleaning service. This was a God-moment. I was there because that sweet woman needed to be reminded that God loves her, he sees her, he is very near and promises to bind up her wounds and heal her broken heart. So, I reminded her.

I walked away from there being reminded myself that God is always working. He is ordering my steps. He is putting people in my path, on purpose. So, I have to remember to slow down. To see. To listen. To be obedient. When I rush through my day with my head down, refusing to see people, I miss opportunities to see God answer a prayer that I've been praying: God, use me. Holy Spirit, work through me so that people see Jesus. 

Let them see Jesus. Always. JESUS.