I am Blessed!
- heartbestill8
- Mar 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 18
In Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to share a few thoughts on being blessed, not lucky. Historically, Saint Patrick’s Day was named in honor of Saint Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. When he was sixteen, he was kidnapped by bad people and taken to Ireland. Even though his situation was dire, he saw a great need for sharing the love of Christ. After he escaped from captivity, he returned home. But deep inside he felt a strong calling to help spread Christianity to the people of Ireland. And that he did! Saint Patrick was credited for establishing several monasteries, churches, and schools in Ireland. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over one thousand years and it falls during the Christian season of Lent.
This holiday was founded on the belief of Christianity and the value of being blessed by God. One of the most famous analogies he used was the three-leaved shamrock, the native Irish clover, to explain the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Each leaf represented the three distinct persons of the one Almighty God. The Father who is God, the Son who is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost which directs our paths as the spirit of God living inside of us.
Today the secular world has commercialized so many Christian celebrations. And St. Patrick's Day is no different. The worldly version of Saint Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish culture involving green beer and shamrocks. But the true meaning of Saint Patrick's Day is to share the love of God with others and acknowledge how blessed we are.
The ‘Luck of the Irish” is a phrase used to express extremely good fortune and represent the happy-go-lucky attitude of the Irish because they share positivity and hope to all. Although true, the origin of that phrase was actually born in the United States, not Ireland! The phrase came about during the 19th century when America experienced the Gold Rush. During that time, Ireland had plunged into deep poverty and many Irish people came to America on ships trying to better themselves and their families. They hoped to strike it rich by finding gold in the mines. And that they did! And henceforth, the “Luck of the Irish” was coined.
Another lucky St. Patrick’s Day symbol is a 4-leaf clover. Confusion still exists as to how the story of the 3-leaf clover was replaced by the story of the 4-leaf clover. Although there is no distinct explanation for it, it is believed that the 4-leaf clover brings luck because it is so rare to find one. Three-leaf clovers are usually found in ABUNDANCE. So, why do we search so hard for a 4-leaf clover when we always find 3-leaf clovers? Because they are rare, and you may be considered lucky if you find one. And here, my friends, lies the message for today.
Three-leaf clovers are found in abundance as a reminder that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Finding a 4-leaf clover may bring a burst of excitement, but the 3-leaf clover should make you most happy as it is a plentiful sign that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is with you. You cannot count all the 3-leaf clovers that you find, but you can be sure that each 3-leaf clover is a beautiful reminder of God’s blessings in your life. What an abundant good thing it is to be in the presence of God.
Throughout the Bible, scripture reminds us that we are the recipients of God’s blessings.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1 NKJV) -- This means that you should be content and not want for anything because you completely trust the Lord and His plan for your life. That is faith!
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8 NKJV) -- This means that all you must do is trust Him. If you do not believe it, then try it and you will find His abundant favor in your life. You will be blessed for trusting in Him. That is the goodness of God!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6 NKJV) -- This means that you should seek Him and His Word like you seek food and water when you are so hungry and thirsty. He promises that when you abide in Him, you will be completely filled. That is contentment!
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV) -- This means that those who keep peace will be called sons and daughters of God. That is reflecting God's love!
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8 NKJV) -- This means that those who set their hearts and mind on things that are pure will one day spend eternity with Him. That is eternal blessing!
Simply put, God’s abundant blessings are for those who abide in Him and trust’s His plan and His timing.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planed by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV)
Being lucky means that you might find random favor by pure circumstance, but that is never guaranteed. Being truly blessed means that you have unending favor with God. Being blessed means that He watches over you, protects, you and provides for you. All you must do is accept Him to be your Savior.
When things happen by chance and you start to say you are "lucky", instead stop and say, "I am blessed and highly favored by God!." It will change your whole outlook on life to think from God's perspective of blessing. Stop looking for 4-leaf clovers and pick all the 3-leaf clovers you can find. Think of them as individual winks from God letting you know just how blessed you are by the Trinity!
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-25 NKJV)
Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter
"God, I'm still counting my blessings
All that You've done in my life
The more that I look in the details
The more of Your goodness I find.
One, two, three
Up to infinity
I'd run out of numbers
Before I could thank You for everything."
I do not own the rights to this music or video.
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