It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and we all know three things about St. Patrick’s Day:

1. You wear green or you get pinched.
2. The world is generally consumed in drinking alcohol.
3. Something about luck of the Irish.

Ok, I guess that last one doesn’t really count since we don’t really understand it fully, but we all at least know the phrase. Really, the phrase is meant to mean bad luck instead of good like it is commonly associated with, but that’s beside the point. The point, as the title suggests, is that I don’t need luck (and neither do you).

The dictionary describes luck as follows:

“the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person’s life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities” or “a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person.”

Undoubtedly, we have probably all said either “just my luck” or “I’m lucky to…”. Not long after Robert and I got married, I had posted something on my Facebook about being the luckiest, or so lucky to have found him (Because two of my favorite songs are The Luckiest by Ben Folds and Lucky by Jason Mraz/Colbie Caillat). Under that post, a woman commented and forever changed my vocabulary. She said, “You’re not lucky, you’re blessed!”

That’s exactly right! I didn’t get Robert because the stars aligned or because I have good luck. I found the one whom my soul loves because God blessed my life. James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Robert is the best gift in my life second only to salvation through Jesus’ blood, and therefore it must have come from God…not some dumb luck.

While there will be many out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day today, I will instead be thanking my God for blessing me. Nowhere in inspired scripture do I find the word luck; however, blessed is found more times than I can expound upon here. A few to dwell on today are listed below. I do pray that we will our guard our tongues and hearts from counting ourselves lucky, and instead remember we are a blessed people.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.” (1 Pet. 3:14)

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” (1 Pet. 4:14)

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Rev. 14:13).