Simply Inspired Sisters: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I personally really enjoy St. Patrick's Day. To most of us it's a day to enjoy great Irish food like corned beef. We also get a kick out of pinching those who don't wear green. (Unless you are one of the unfortunate ones who forgot and walked out of the house without some form of green! haha) I was obnoxiously warned by my 13 year old son as soon as my feet hit the floor this morning to make sure I wore green. Little stinker! Lol! At least he was compassionate enough to warn his dear mother before all the other kiddos got me. (or my hubby) So all of us made sure we had some sort of green on today. My girls and I painted ourselves up with shamrocks so that we could wear other color clothes. We made green shamrock sugar cookies and finished the day with a feast of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and green milk. Mmmmm!

With all of this being said, do you really know who St. Patrick was and why the day is celebrated? Here is a very condensed version but gives a little insight into this great day. St. Patrick's Day celebrates the life of Saint Patrick and is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, March 17th. It has been celebrated for over 1,000 years. The day celebrates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. St. Patrick was born in Roman, Britain. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders when he was only 16 years old and taken to Ireland to be a slave. He spent his time as a slave praying and talking to God. During this time, he was told by God in a dream to flee to the coast where a ship was waiting for him. He traveled over 200 miles and reached the ship. Then he returned to Britain where he studied to be a priest. He felt a call to bring Christianity back to Ireland. This is where the Shamrock came in. It is said that he St. Patrick used the shamrock to help explain the Trinity to the people. The sides symbolizing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He ministered to the people for 30 years. WOW! There is so much to learn about this man who had a heart and felt a call to change Ireland and see God move there.

I took a moment this morning to tell my children some of this so that they know that it's not about wearing green and funny little shamrocks hanging about. We celebrate it for purpose, for a reason. I think we would be doing our children a dishonor if we left all of this unknown.

I hope you all enjoyed your St. Patrick's Day!

Blessings, Jen