I should begin my post with a Laundry chute update. It continues to be a source of fun for the kids. Last week I found a small turtle, a ball, a pig, and a clothespin among the diry clothes. On Saturday I was out shopping, after being gone about 45 minutes I receive a text from Steve that reads "the longer you are gone the worse it gets. I am not responsible. Quote from Joshua, "mom is going to freak out.""
Typically I would have been at least a little alarmed by that text. However, my responding text was, "Considering I just dropped a piece of crystal...and it broke...we'll be home soon." I was looking at a piece of crystal trying to decide whether to buy it. I learned that dropping it on a concrete floor is a quick way to make a decision about buying crystal.
Okay, back to my laundry chute text. Upon returning home, I found the laundry chute had been stuffed with stuffed animals, blankets, pillows and toys to the point that it was coming out the
top of the chute...yes the top-where I typically open the cabinet to toss the clothes down. You would have thought Santa dropped by at the amount of excitement and squeals when I walked in the door.
Well my update was longer than I expected. Anyway, green eggs and rainbows. We did have green eggs for breakfast. The kids and Steve were good sports and ate them. We had great conversation about St. Patricks Day while eating breakfast.
Lydia was hesitant, but only because in big brother fashion, Joshua told her that we were having broccoli stew for breakfast. It took a few minutes of convincing before she would take a bite.
Katherine dove in without hesitation. The same way she responds to everything!
So what about shamrocks, lepricons, and rainbows. Why do we celebrate this day anyway. Just a reason to pinch someone or to eat green food? How many of our children across schools in America will color shamrocks today? Will anyone tell them why? Will anyone explain that St. Patrick used the common shamrock as a visual to explain to the people of Ireland the concept of the Trinity. One God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? Today the Shamrock is Ireland's national flower.
What of the name St. Patrick. It was not even his name. He was not even Irish.
He was a wealthy Roman living a good life as a boy in England...until the Irish invaded the land, kidnapped him, killed his family, and destroyed his homeland. He became a slave. He did escape years later and even returned to England. However, he followed the calling of the Lord and returned to Ireland-the folks that hated Romans and the folks he should have hated. He stayed and shared the Gospel of Christ. It changed the course of history for Ireland.
Oh how we have emptied this holiday. How many are searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Most of the world would say that as Americans we have found the pot of gold. However, a recent study of countries around the world both developed and not developed show that Americans are some of the most discontent folks in the world.
And rainbows...the path to the pot of gold. Well that part is true, it is the path. Genesis teaches us that God gave people the sign of the rainbow to remind us that He never breaks His promises. Never. And He promised a Savior, a Redeemer. And He kept that promise too. Maybe the pot of gold isn't wealth...maybe it is a relationship with a loving God.
It is no surprise to me that my generation and the youngers ones after me are searching. We have been told of shamrocks and lepricons-fariy tales. No substance. Nothing to hold onto during the hard times. Like when a friend dies of cancer.
The good news? We can change it. Just as St. Patrick did. One man. He made a difference for an entire country...one person at a time. We can start with our own children, co-workers, and relatives...today is a great opportunity! Just ask them? Why do we celebrate St. Patricks Day anyway?"
This is a delightful book by Michelle Adams that tells of Christ's resurrection from the point of view of an eyewitness - a sparrow. The book is written in rhyming verse and the illustrations are bright and fun (and even includes pigs which makes Lydia happy). It tells the story of Christ's death and resurrection in simple terms with no embellishments...none are needed of course, but sometimes children's books do so. The little sparrow is excited to share the Good News with all of her friends and once they hear the Good News they immediately run to tell others.
