Pirates, Kidnapping, Slavery and… Marriage?

What do pirates, kidnapping and slavery have to do with your marriage? Hopefully, directly, not a lot. However, in the month of March many of us remember St. Patrick’s Day – even if we simply add a bit o’ green to our wardrobe on the 17th.

Patrick’s father was a wealthy deacon of the Christian church in Britain. As a youngster, Patrick most likely enjoyed a relatively comfortable A.D. 400s British lifestyle. Everything drastically changed when, at the age of 16, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates during a raid and sold as a slave in Ireland.

While serving as a shepherd during his captivity, Patrick’s faith in God soared to great heights, and he dedicated himself to prayer. After six years of slavery, he escaped and returned to Britain. Because of the deep spiritual growth he experienced while in Ireland, Patrick became consumed with the idea of converting the Irish people to Christianity. After much study and more prayer, Patrick eventually returned to Ireland. He converted and baptized thousands of Irish people and established hundreds of churches.

Not bad for starting out as a teenager with a well-to-do deacon Dad, then suddenly being ripped from his comfortable home by pirates, taken to another country and forced to become a shepherd slave until he escaped six years later. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

So, your marriage started out good. You’ve hit a few bumps along the way. Okay, actually, you have been traversing some major mountains for quite some time now and it’s getting ugly. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Sometimes, you may feel like you you’ve been kidnapped, banished to a foreign land called, “Marriage,” and are now serving as a type of slave to an institution also called, “Marriage.” Perhaps you are married to a “pirate” who has drastically changed your life or you feel like your life is going nowhere as you sit for hours at your job, perhaps bored, as a type of “shepherd slave.” “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Yes, marriage, and life in general, can get ugly, but take heart my dear Saint. You have options. Patrick’s life took a drastic turn for what seemed like the worse. However, he allowed the trials and struggles he was going through to transform him into a better person. He spent many hours in prayer and meditation becoming closer and closer to God. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Like Joseph in the Old Testament, Patrick ends up helping and showering love on the very people who harmed him earlier in life. Patrick and Joseph held no resentment for their mistreatment and were even thankful that God allowed their struggles in order to put them in a position to do great deeds and save many people. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (II Corinthians 4:16-17)

I challenge you to meditate on the scriptures above and allow the God of forgiveness, hope and redemption to cause you to return to your commitment to “love and cherish ‘til death do you part.”

This Spring, I do not wish you Irish luck or a charming leprechaun to lead you to a pot o’ gold at the end of the fairies’ rainbow, even though most of us wouldn’t mind a little more stash o’ cash in our wallets. My hope is that you are inspired to see beyond the adversity to a greater redemption than you can possibly imagine in the midst of your current struggle. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (I Peter 5:10)


Your Soul Sister