Hope

We've been pondering the word hope this week. When we chose the words for the kids in January, I did quite a bit of word studying...using the Strong's to look up Hebrew and Greek meanings of words. I found that the words hope and expect/expectations are used interchangeably, especially from one translation of the Bible to another. Hope - a strong and confident expectation.

In searching for fresh meaning in the word hope, I opened my Kindle and searched my ESV Bible for hope....and came up with 42 pages of references. As I jotted down the ones that popped out at me, I noticed a common theme. At the top of the journal page, I wrote in big letters.....SECURITY. We have security of the heavenly kind when our hope is in the Lord and when He IS our hope.

For me personally, security is a pretty big deal. I spent my teen years fighting with insecurities in many areas..appearance, abilities, relationships.  Even now, when my hope isn't in the Lord...when I'm believing a lie, you will find one insecure little girl inside of me. Anytime I'm trusting in myself or my abilities or the worldly things around me, I have false security, insecurity, no security.

Hope....longing for....expectations placed in HIM... equals security.

A few verses in Psalm 119 say "I hope in your words." I pondered that. All three of our children, from the teen to the drama queen, find security in the words of their parents. When they are hurt, physically or emotionally, just hearing the Mama say..."I'm so sorry. It's going to be ok." settles them down, gives them security, hope in our words. When they are in trouble for one reason or another, they need to hear from their Daddy..."We are ok. I love you so much. It's going to be ok...", they breathe a sigh of relief, hope in the words.

See, our children are counting on us to be resting in His grace with a life full of hope. How can I speak words of hope and security to them if I'm not sure where my hope is even placed at that moment? They trust us...and are counting on us to lead them to the hope found in Him. As their mama, my hope is in Him, it just HAS to be,  so the words that come from my lips, whether for comfort and soothing or instruction and correction, offer a platter of confidence and a cupful of security for their souls.

I found this article on Hope while searching. Enjoy...

St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

This is a repost from last St. Patrick's Day.

I was encouraged once again by this prayer.

I hope you are, too.

Around 1500 years ago, a young British teen was kidnapped by Irish Raiders and forced into slavery in Ireland. Six years later, he escaped and returned to his home in Britain. This young man became a Christian and took the Christian name of Patrick. Through a vision/dream (as it's told), the Lord put it on his heart to return to Ireland as a missionary. He did just that....sharing the love of Christ and building schools and church buildings. Did you catch that? Just in case you missed the point....Patrick RETURNED TO IRELAND...the place where he was enslaved for 6 years. Could I do that? You? By the 8th century, he was a patron saint of Ireland. March 17 is believed to be the date he died. Irish Catholics began celebrating this day in the 17th century. Irish-Americans introduced the celebration of St. Patrick's Day on American soil during Colonial times.


Most believe it to be legend that St. Patrick drove snakes out of Ireland. Some believe it was symbolic of him driving paganism out of the country. I personally don't believe the Lord would send Patrick back to Ireland just to rid the country of unwanted reptiles. He had a greater plan for Patrick in Ireland! There is also legend that St. Patrick used shamrocks to explain the Trinity - The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. While this is not fact, it is definitely a feasible possibility, don't you think?


There is a prayer long believed to be authored and prayed by St. Patrick. It is known as St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer, The Deer's Cry, or The Lorica. Whatever you choose to call it, the prayer is beautiful and relevant in our lives some 1500 years later! Here is just a portion of the prayer. Read it in its entirety here.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's hand to guard me.

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today

Against wounding:

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ in me.

I arise today

Through the mighty strength Of the Lord of Creation.

P. S. I'm not sure where the Wear Green or Get Pinched tradition fits in, but yes, I do have on a green shirt today bc my kids take this pinching thing SERIOUSLY! ~Blessings!~