< by Jill >

I’ve never believed in luck. The whole concept of random happenstance seems uninspired. Surely, goodness must have an origin, and blessings must have an author.

Consider the Big Bang, which could be considered the luckiest explosion of all time. It’s science’s best explanation of the earth’s conception, but ultimately, it’s devoid of creative beauty. Fred Hoyle, the mathematician who coined the phrase ‘Big Bang,’ framed his skepticism this way:

The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way is comparable to the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junkyard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein.

It’s a controversial standpoint, but it points to the fact that the natural world is far too complex for complete understanding. I mean, scientists cannot figure out the purpose of the appendix, and yet every human pops out of the chute with one.

It’s human nature to solve mysteries, but when science falls short and Sherlock Holmes is on sabbatical, most people suspend the investigation and explain the unknown as chance or luck. If you found $20 on the street, how would you explain it? If an anonymous benefactor paid your debts, who or what would get the credit?

In honor of St. Patrick, this week’s posts explore the idea of luck. As our authors recount stories of windfalls and unexpected blessings, consider this: Is it luck, or is it something more?