Happy St. Patrick’s Day! St Patrick was kidnaped at the age of 16 from Britain & sold into slavery in Ireland. He was in captivity until age 20. He received a dream from God who directed him to go to the coast, where he found some sailors who took him back to his homeland, Britain. This is where he received his call into the ministry. He went into a monastery to study for 15 years, then he returned to Ireland as a missionary! He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland! He faced much opposition from the cults of that day in Ireland! Q,from his biography, The Confession, he wrote, “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.” It is believed that he used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity and entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick’s message. The Breastplate,” Patrick’s poem of faith and trust in God: “Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.” —Have a blessed day! Always willing to be used by God, never holding to our circumstances but keep a willing heart during the good times & the hard times! Love Mel
