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St. Patrick’s Day isn’t about drinking green beer

When I was growing up, I didn’t know anything about St. Patrick’s Day, despite having Irish roots. I grew up in a Protestant Christian home, and we didn’t celebrate or acknowledge any of the Catholic traditions. In fact, I didn’t even know what lent or St. Patrick’s Day were until I went away to college.

My only impression of the day was that it was like Cinco de Mayo — a day people picked to drink alcohol and call it a holiday. I participated in the parades and wearing green because it was fun, but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I did the research to find out what the real meaning of the day was all about … And I have to tell you that I have become a fan of Saint Patrick.

St. Pattick's Day isn't about drinking green beer

The story goes, according to Christianity Today, that he was kidnapped as a teenager and sold into slavery by Irish pirates. He escaped, but then had the courage to return to Ireland as a missionary. He is credited for bringing Christianity to the country and for using the shamrock to describe the Holy Trinity.

What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, [he] who knew everything, even before the beginning of time. -Saint Patrick

Anyone with a human brain is intelligent enough to see the negative affects alcohol has on the brain, body and life. I shunned the holiday because I thought it was all about drinking alcohol. Now, however, I’m proud of my Irish heritage. My maternal grandfather who raised me, Floyd Jones, always said his father was half Irish and half Native American with a full red beard.

While we’re on the topic of drinking alcohol, I recently heard the story of someone who had been secretly drinking daily and is now in dire health. If you find even a slight similarity of your life in this story, please, please don’t wait until you’re on your death bed before you get help to quit using alcohol or drugs of any form. You are too precious, and you have great gifts to share and things to do in the world! Please find a treatment center or a 12-step program to help you before it’s too late! It’s always a good day to make positive changes!

Rick Wiles of TruNews once said he loves the story of Saint Patrick, and I have to agree. I admire his courage to go back to the place where he was held captive and treated brutally and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who did not believe. Thinking about our modern life, can you say that you would be willing to go back into a relationship where you had your heart broken and were treated badly – dare I say, brutally – and not only go back into that environment, but to speak the truth in love? He did it, and we need to look to his example to do the same in our daily lives.

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