Patterns O' Thinkin'

Ay, Top of the mornin' to ya lads and lassies.

This mornin' being St. Patty's day a cheerful Iri'sh lass appeared to waken the wee ones from their slumbers and welcome the new mornin'. Of course the wee ones were a bit perplexed at the change in their mum but were happy to go along with discoverin' the mischief and the gold coins the leprecans had left during the evenin'.

Until the wee mites were off to skool the Irish banter continued and the little lassie herself tossed back to her mum a few phrases of her own from the Emerald Isle.


I found in the scant hour I spoke (or attempted to speak!) as one from the Isle across the sea that I had to speak more slowly, oftentimes thinking about how to phrase something differently so that's it's language reflected another culture and its way of relating to a subject. After the kids had left I found I was still thinkin' in this Irish brogue as I set about to brew meself a cup of coffee to draw off the mornin' chill...

If a Chicago girl can amuse her children with a goofy Irish accent for a morning simply by stopping to think about speaking this way, what effect could we as believers have on the world if we would take seriously the command to "not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds"? (Romans 12:2)

If we remember that we've been urged to as strangers and pilgrims in the world to keep away from sin that destroys our souls and to live in such a way that God is glorified (I Peter 2:11 paraphrased) would that not effect how we think?

And if we also remember that we are " a chosen people, a royal priesthood...a people belonging to God (so) that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9) wouldn't that also change the way we think, which will effect how we speak and act and therefore impact for God, the worlds we move in - the people within the sphere of our influence?

It's a simple concept.
We immerse ourselves in God's Word to see what He thinks.
We begin to view the world and ourselves as He does.
Our thoughts impact our words and our actions.
And we find ourselves then being transformed to be more like Jesus.
And this brings glory and honor to God.


Which is much more important than the fact that the comin' of St. Patty's day has turned a normal mum into an Irish lass for the mornin'...! :)

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Some additional thoughts:
I have returned to the practice of reading the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds with the date. In each chapter I find one truth to think about that day and put into practice. It's a small step, and it's simple but if "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" then I am on my way!
I encourage you to try it as well.