I’ve never been overly excited about St. Patrick’s Day but since becoming a McComas (It is Irish after all) and having kids it’s always fun to celebrate. And well, I can get behind fun celebrations, yummy food, and celebrating a man who loved God and walked a life of faith.
I knew little about St. Patrick’s day until recently. Jenna has to know all about things, she’s into facts and the why’s of life. So over our dinner of Corned beef, potatoes and cabbage we learned why it’s called “corned” beef, that St. Patrick was once kidnapped by Irish raiders and then in a dream God told him how to escape and he eventually ended up back in Britain. Seriously crazy stuff. St. Patrick also used the three leaf clover to explain the trinity apparently and that’s where it came about to wear green. And then to make it really fun we had Siri lead us to a YouTube video that taught us to speak in an Irish accent. Jenna was freakishly good at it. Don’t you wish you had dinner at our house?
To start the day off though we set out a trap to see if we could catch a leprechaun. (At our MOPS group this was the craft we did and it was said to be a hit with kids.) My kids had so much fun assembling the trap, gluing the signs and anticipating what would happen. (Side note**I’m not usually one to advocate for imaginary things. We don’t even do Santa in our house. But she was so excited when she saw the craft that I figured we would join in the fun.)
This morning the kids found the trap had been moved, the gold coins tossed about, the decorations on the table scattered about and I sprinkled gold and green glitter on the table like a trail. That sneaky little leprechaun also dropped his bag of gold chocolate coins before fleeing. Jenna thought this was the most exciting thing ever. She now believes in leprechauns but hey, I’m pretty sure she’ll figure it out sooner or later. (Some of my friends also put green dye in the toilet but I didn’t. I’m sure that would have really made their day.)
Matt also celebrated the day with participating in the Shamrock Run 5k. He ran once in preparation in the last month and then did great today. I wish that I could do the same but I would simply die. So I went to church instead and was refreshed from hearing the Word and holding down a chair.
As you can see below they were given chowder and a tasty beverage for finishing the race.
This may be the most activity we’ve ever had on a St. Patrick’s day. I think it was a true success. To leave you with something meaningful, here is one of St. Patrick’s prayers. It’s beautiful!
As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen