Happy Sober St. Patty's Day!
My hubs returned from Texas early Friday morning. Last night was our first night to really spend time together. As we were driving home, I told him about my thoughts of having an Irish coffee or Guinness for St. Patty's Day. He didn't say anything, just messed with his phone (the usual)...then a song began to play through the stereo. He then responded to my statements with, "I don't think that's what you want" and just smiled at me. I thought "Dork, but I
so love him." The song he played was
WORTHY of AFFECTION.
It's ridiculous how well he knows me... No, it is beautiful how he cares for me. He doesn't engage me in dicussions on things he knows are not good for my mind to be set on. I admire that quality in him and am humbled by it everytime. The thing is,
after listening to this song (which I've heard a hundred times)... I turned to my sweet husband asked him, "How is it, that after listening to that song, nothing else matters to me? There is nothing I want more than to be with God, nothing is as important or satisfying as Him. And now I feel stupid for even considering other stuff, even if just for the novelty of it." He simply said, "I know." Then he played this song,
You Bled from a lovely group we love called Rend Collective Experience.
I love the song b/c somehow it draws you into reflection with each word. The "Jesus love me" part I have yet to be able to sing for crying. There in the darkness of a country road at midnight, my husband and I, hand in hand, wept tears of joy because we are loved and welcomed into His presence, called His children and are freed. It's those moments I treasure with my man and my Abba. I love the "Jesus loves me" part b/c they are not singing to convince themselves of His love, but rather they are enjoying it, dancing in His love! It's how we should be, at least internally. I was in that place after the redirection of a couple songs.
My high school English teacher (Mrs. Hargrove) always said the rule when using a comma is "When in doubt, leave it out." I had my doubts on having a drink on St. Patrick's Day...thus I left it out. Instead I embraced what the day represents which is Irish culture and the legacy of St. Patrick. This morning we made Irish stew and listened to music. The legacy of St. Patrick is one of helping others, bringing Jesus' love and teachings/promises of God to a people so that they too could be reconciled to God and
know real joy & real peace and dance in his presence. He was love's hands and feet. I, on the other hand, suck at being that with consistency. I can do it a few days, a weekend, a couple weeks...but let those relationships get frickin' real, as in them wanting to really know me, and my walls are up and I disappear for a few weeks. It's ridiculous. I've got to improve. I must get out of my own head, as
they say.
As for today, I very much enjoyed it. I had the pleasure of meeting one of my favorite friends' new born son, who is just the sweetest blend of she & her husband! Then we came home, enjoyed some stew and now I have
business to attend to with my favorite
leprechaun. (And by
business I mean "gettin' busy-ness". And by leprechaun, I mean my man.)
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
Saint Patrick's "Breastplate" Prayer
I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.
I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
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