FOUR LEAF CLOVER - LUCK OR GRACE?

I KNOW a place where the sun is like gold,
And the cherry blooms burst with snow,
And down underneath is the loveliest nook,
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith,
And one is for love, you know,
And God Put another in for luck

If You search, You will find where they grow
But you must have hope, and you must have faith,
You must love and be strong--and so--
If You work, if you wait, you will find the place
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.
---Ella Higginson

I came across this poem this morning. After reading it, my mind immediately began turning back the clock to summer time over 30 years ago when I was 9 or 10. My friend and I would spend afternoons picking clover in her backyard. I guess it was just something to do on a lazy summer day, but her dad would also pay us by the bucket to pick the white clover out of the grass since it is considered a weed. We always seemed to find just a few four leaf clovers for our efforts. When we did, we would keep them and treasure them by pressing them in the pages of a book. I read this morning that they only occur at the rate of 1 four leaf clover for every 10,000 three leaf clovers although this is very difficult to confirm.

By Irish tradition, the Shamrock or three-leaf clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.

Whether you believe in luck or grace (or both), my friend and I were very lucky to have found so many, and as a Christian now, I can certainly attest to the fact that I have received a great share of God's grace!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!