3 valuable truths and the daring life of saint Patrick
James and his dilemma.
Meet James, a young boy who lives in the U.K. near the edge of Puzzle Wood forest.
James ran into a bit of a tussle this morning when a group called, Billy’s Bullies, stole some treats and scones. These treats were a gift James was delivering to his friend Molly. Frustrated by this act of cruelty, James was not sure how he should respond to these bullies. Once at home, James told his mother all the details of his morning frustrations. Mother always knew the best way to ward off these frustrations and offered to make a new batch of treats as soon as she could get the ingredients. James was excited at the sound of yummy treats, but even more excited to hear that while his mother went to the market, he could stay at the Old Family Cottage with their good friend, The Storyteller.
The Old Family Cottage was a little old house full of mysteries and abounding with adventure. James loved exploring in the woods and playing Hide-and-go-seek in the rooms of this old cottage. James was especially happy that he would see his friend, The Storyteller, a kind old man who told the best stories.
Perhaps this kind old man would know how James ought to treat Billy and his group of bullies.
James meets the Storyteller.
Later that morning, James heard Mother calling from the front door.
Bounding down the stairs, James saw Mother wrapping her shawl around her shoulders and with her purse in hand, said, “James, let’s take a stroll and go visit The Storyteller. It’s the perfect weather for a walk to the Old Cottage. What do you say, will you join me?”
With eagerness and a smile, James accepted Mother’s invitation.
Mother was right, it was the perfect day for a stroll. James could feel the wind at his back as if it was gently pushing him toward the Storytellers cottage. He picked up a few sticks and stones to add to his collection back home and would then catch up to Mother when he fell behind. Mother’s steps were consistent as she hummed the “Be Thou My Vision” as they walked.
Once James arrived, the Storyteller greeted him with a jolly smile and welcomed him into the Old Cottage for a friendly visit. After some catching up, James told the Storyteller about his tussle with the bullies that morning.
The kind old man shared compassion through his eyes and offered to tell James the story of another friend of his who had a similar problem many years ago. After pouring them both a warm cup of Earl Grey tea (with plenty of honey for James), the Storyteller took a beautiful gold printed book off the old shelf at the back of the room. This book contained all the adventures and lessons of The Storyteller’s friend who was also bullied as a boy.
Sipping on their tea, The Storyteller began to read.
The Adventure Begins.
Many years ago I had the honor to meet a great man named Patrick, though gray hairs showed and he was a little frayed around the edges, all in all, time had treated him well for the last sixteen hundred years. You see, Patrick is none other than St. Patrick who lived in the 5th century A.D. I was able to meet this old saint through a book of his own writings titled, “The Confessions Of Patrick.”
A Hero In Need Of The Savior.
The first thing that I learned about Patrick was that he was a humble man. He understood that he was a sinner and Christ was his only means of salvation. Patrick’s journey to this conclusion was undoubtedly filled with twists and turns. Patrick was aquatinted with the paganism of the Celts. Surely he had seen many trinkets of worship and brazen idols, but none of these compared to the Living God. He had concluded that all the images of the celts were lies and demons; in all the mysteries of the druid’s, there was no salvation to be found. Though Patrick eventually accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, there was a time when he worshiped an idol more dangerous than all of the pagan Celts combined.
St. Patrick From Britain?
Patrick’s life began on the west coast of Britain where he was born to a deacon named Calpurnius. Though the son of an elder and raised among Christian Britons, Patrick “did not then know the true God.” Patrick like so many people nowadays served an idol called, Self, following the whims and desires of his own sinful heart. Self makes a fine idol, for idols are easy to make, but Self will never be a suitable Savior.
Free in the flesh and bound in the spirit, Patrick knew he needed a savior.
A Slave In Ireland.
At the age of 16, Patrick was kidnapped and taken as a slave to Ireland. Patrick’s captors were Irish marauders who used to bully the Brittish people. Patrick considered his slavery a punishment from God for his sins. However, it turned out that slavery was precisely what was needed to open the eyes of this blinded Briton. Captive in the green hills of the Emerald Island, Patrick accepted Christ as his Savior. After six years of slavery, Patrick managed to escape. In a dream, God told Patrick that a ship was waiting for him. Patrick left his master and traveled in the hope of his promised deliverance a vessel 200 miles away. Boarding the ship Patrick left Ireland and sailed to Gaul, in modern day France. Once his voyage was complete, Patrick was free from the oppressive island, but more importantly, he was free from the oppression of his sin.
A Missionary To Barbarians.
After gaining his physical and spiritual freedom, God once again called Patrick in a dream. This time God instructed him to return to Ireland to spread the Good News of the Gospel to a people slaved to sin, superstitions, and paganism. In a spectacle of the transforming power of the Holy-Spirit Patrick obeyed his Lord and returned to the land of his captivity to save the lost people of Ireland. Though the odds were against Patrick, at any time he could have died a thousand deaths, God protected him and blessed the work that he had called Patrick to do.
Hope Shines From Ireland.
In the years that followed the Irish church flourished. Rather than locking themselves up in monasteries like ascetics, the Irish monks sent missionaries all around the world. Once a land lost in darkness, Ireland shone to the world as a bright light of the Gospel.
St. Patrick’s Legacy.
As recorded in his autobiography, Patrick never sought his salvation from priest or Popes, neither did he trust in his works, but believed in Christ’ righteousness and grace to save him. If you ever get the chance to meet Patrick, you’ll see a man who loved the Lord and was passionate to bring freedom to his captors. As we look back at the triumphs of this Celtic priest, let us remember it is not the greatness of Patrick that makes him memorable, but sincere humility that sets him apart among the mighty of the nations. Patrick realized he was an imperfect man serving a perfect Lord; fortunately, this is all God asks. Will you love your enemies?
Story’s End…Time For Scones.
The Storyteller closed the book, and he told the boy, sometimes we are called to bravely fight our enemies like William Wallace or Robert the Bruce. However, often we are called to minister to our enemies, as Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you” (KJV Matthew 5:44b).
As the book closed so did all the questions and frustrations that haunted James earlier that morning. James decided to show kindness to his enemies and invited Billy’s Bullies to tea and Irish scones along with The Storyteller, Molly, and his Mother.
Further Resources.
3 valuable truths and the daring life of saint Patrick
James And His Dilemma.
Meet James, a young boy who lives in the U.K. near the edge of Puzzle Wood forest. James ran into a bit of a tussle this morning when a group called, Billy’s Bullies, stole some treats and scones. These treats were a gift James was delivering to his friend Molly. Frustrated by this act of cruelty, James was not sure how he should respond to these bullies.
Once at home, James told his mother all the details of his morning frustrations. Mother always knew the best way to ward off these frustrations and offered to make a new batch of treats as soon as she could get the ingredients. James was excited at the sound of yummy treats, but even more excited to hear that while his mother went to the market, he could stay at the Old Family Cottage with their good friend, The Storyteller. The Old Family Cottage was a little old house full of mysteries and abounding with adventure. James loved exploring in the woods and playing Hide-and-go-seek in the rooms of this old cottage. James was especially happy that he would see his friend, The Storyteller, a kind old man who told the best stories. Perhaps this kind old man would know how James ought to treat Billy and his group of bullies.
James Meets The Storyteller.
Later that morning, James heard Mother calling from the front door. Bounding down the stairs, James saw Mother wrapping her shawl around her shoulders and with her purse in hand, said, “James, let’s take a stroll and go visit The Storyteller. It’s the perfect weather for a walk to the Old Cottage. What do you say, will you join me?” With eagerness and a smile, James accepted Mother’s invitation. Mother was right, it was the perfect day for a stroll. James could feel the wind at his back as if it was gently pushing him toward the Storytellers cottage. He picked up a few sticks and stones to add to his collection back home and would then catch up to Mother when he fell behind. Mother’s steps were consistent as she hummed the “Be Thou My Vision” as they walked. Once James arrived, the Storyteller greeted him with a jolly smile and welcomed him into the Old Cottage for a friendly visit.
After some catching up, James told the Storyteller about his tussle with the bullies that morning. The kind old man shared compassion through his eyes and offered to tell James the story of another friend of his who had a similar problem many years ago. After pouring them both a warm cup of Earl Grey tea (with plenty of honey for James), the Storyteller took a beautiful gold printed book off the old shelf at the back of the room. This book contained all the adventures and lessons of The Storyteller’s friend who was also bullied as a boy. Sipping on their tea, The Storyteller began to read.
The Adventure Begins.
Many years ago I had the honor to meet a great man named Patrick, though gray hairs showed and he was a little frayed around the edges, all in all, time had treated him well for the last sixteen hundred years. You see, Patrick is none other than St. Patrick who lived in the 5th century A.D. I was able to meet this old saint through a book of his own writings titled, “The Confessions Of Patrick.”
A Hero In Need Of The Savior.
The first thing that I learned about Patrick was that he was a humble man. He understood that he was a sinner and Christ was his only means of salvation. Patrick’s journey to this conclusion was undoubtedly filled with twists and turns. Patrick was aquatinted with the paganism of the Celts. Surely he had seen many trinkets of worship and brazen idols, but none of these compared to the Living God. He had concluded that all the images of the celts were lies and demons; in all the mysteries of the druid’s, there was no salvation to be found. Though Patrick eventually accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, there was a time when he worshiped an idol more dangerous than all of the pagan Celts combined.
St. Patrick From Britain?
Patrick’s life began on the west coast of Britain where he was born to a deacon named Calpurnius. Though the son of an elder and raised among Christian Britons, Patrick “did not then know the true God.” Patrick like so many people nowadays served an idol called, Self, following the whims and desires of his own sinful heart. Self makes a fine idol, for idols are easy to make, but Self will never be a suitable Savior. Free in the flesh and bound in the spirit, Patrick knew he needed a savior.
A Slave In Ireland.
At the age of 16, Patrick was kidnapped and taken as a slave to Ireland. Patrick’s captors were Irish marauders who used to bully the Brittish people. Patrick considered his slavery a punishment from God for his sins. However, it turned out that slavery was precisely what was needed to open the eyes of this blinded Briton. Captive in the green hills of the Emerald Island, Patrick accepted Christ as his Savior. After six years of slavery, Patrick managed to escape. In a dream, God told Patrick that a ship was waiting for him. Patrick left his master and traveled in the hope of his promised deliverance a vessel 200 miles away. Boarding the ship Patrick left Ireland and sailed to Gaul, in modern day France. Once his voyage was complete, Patrick was free from the oppressive island, but more importantly, he was free from the oppression of his sin.
A Missionary To Barbarians.
After gaining his physical and spiritual freedom, God once again called Patrick in a dream. This time God instructed him to return to Ireland to spread the Good News of the Gospel to a people slaved to sin, superstitions, and paganism. In a spectacle of the transforming power of the Holy-Spirit Patrick obeyed his Lord and returned to the land of his captivity to save the lost people of Ireland. Though the odds were against Patrick, at any time he could have died a thousand deaths, God protected him and blessed the work that he had called Patrick to do.
Hope Shines From Ireland.
In the years that followed the Irish church flourished. Rather than locking themselves up in monasteries like ascetics, the Irish monks sent missionaries all around the world. Once a land lost in darkness, Ireland shone to the world as a bright light of the Gospel.
In the years that followed the Irish church flourished. Rather than locking themselves up in monasteries like ascetics, the Irish monks sent missionaries all around the world. Once a land lost in darkness, Ireland shone to the world as a bright light of the Gospel.
St. Patrick’s Legacy.
As recorded in his autobiography, Patrick never sought his salvation from priest or Popes, neither did he trust in his works, but believed in Christ’ righteousness and grace to save him. If you ever get the chance to meet Patrick, you’ll see a man who loved the Lord and was passionate to bring freedom to his captors. As we look back at the triumphs of this Celtic priest, let us remember it is not the greatness of Patrick that makes him memorable, but sincere humility that sets him apart among the mighty of the nations. Patrick realized he was an imperfect man serving a perfect Lord; fortunately, this is all God asks. Will you love your enemies?
Story’s End…Time For Scones.
The Storyteller closed the book, and he told the boy, sometimes we are called to bravely fight our enemies like William Wallace or Robert the Bruce. However, often we are called to minister to our enemies, as Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you” (KJV Matthew 5:44b). As the book closed so did all the questions and frustrations that haunted James earlier that morning. James decided to show kindness to his enemies and invited Billy’s Bullies to tea and Irish scones along with The Storyteller, Molly, and his Mother.
What a wonderful and beautiful story. I love the illustrations! Such a pleasure to read! Treasure!