Morning Moments

An Irish Saint.

I enjoy reading about people of God and today I simply want to quote from the writing of Helen Bingham regarding "Holy Ann" of Ireland. I think it will help you to understand why Christian biographies are such an important part of every Christian's life.

"She was Irish, and a saint. The terms may to some minds seem incongruous and may not generally be associated. Hot Celtic blood may possibly not be easily turned into the channel of sanctity, but nevertheless Ireland has had its saints, and Ann Preston was one. She might not be able to claim lineal descent from St. Patrick, and to be sure saintliness does not always descend a family tree. But then she was connected with the same source of life, for "He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one."
She was Irish, anyway; there could be no doubt about that. Although she had not trodden the green sod of the Old Land for well-nigh seventy years, her face had not lost anything of the national characteristic, and to hear her speak but a few sentences would have settled that question beyond the suspicion of a doubt.
And then she was a saint; at least so everybody said that had ever known her, and she was known to thousands, and her influence felt far beyond the limits of any common life. There was surely something remarkable in the career of a poor woman, when at its close ministers of all denominations gathered around the casket bearing the lifeless remains, and one of our large city churches was packed to the doors to listen to the testimony of those representing all branches of the Church, as they bore witness that the life of this sainted woman had been an untold blessing to them. There would have been nothing strange had the coffin contained the remains of one of earth's great ones. Culture or wealth has an attractive power, but this woman was unlettered, illiterate. She had no wealth to bequeath, and not a living relative to mourn her loss. She had lived during the last years like Elijah, as the guest of a poor widow, who ministered to her needs. Her very coffin was a gift of love, and her dust was deposited in the lot of another."

It is a new year, a new day, and there is certainly enough life left in us to begin slowing down a bit and learning that JESUS, Himself is more concerned about our character than our credentials. You may not be what you eat, but you WILL become what you read. AMEN!