I was looking through some old posts I'd written and found this one from St. Patricks day that I mustn't have posted. St. Patrick's day is probably the last thing on our minds, but his example of forgiveness sure is powerful.
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When St. Patrick was growing up in Scotland he was kidnapped at the age of 16 by pirates from Ireland where he was taken and sold into slavery. During his six years of slavery St. Patrick says that, 'God planted a deep love in his heart for the Irish'. He was able to escape from slavery after six years and he returned to his family in Scotland. Upon his return to Scotland he prepared for priestly ministry and later returned to Ireland as an ordained Bishop and missionary.
St. Patrick is credited with with leading 1000's of Irishmen out of the dark practices of paganism and druidism into the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus. He was also instrumental in starting churches and transforming society in Ireland.
Just think what would might have happened if St. Patrick had been unforgiving to his captors? If his hardened heart had not been open to God's love for the people who had wronged him?
The entire account of his life would have been different if he had not forgiven.
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