Good and Faithful Servant

"Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best. Neither glory in your success, but refer all to God in deepest thankfulness." ~ Mother Teresa

Our journey upon the road of life, with its twists and turns, its potholes and detours, and its steep inclines and long, dark, lonely stretches might be a tad more easier to navigate and more of a joyful ride if we truly believed this sincere and simple piece of wisdom from this saintly little woman....and then put it into action, yes?

I'm currently reading a book about Mother Teresa called, 'No Greater Love.'   Mother Teresa, whom I admire very much, was a woman who loved and served the Lord God with all of her heart.  She did the hard things in life, not turning away from the ugly, the dirty, the unwanted, the forgotten, the broken, 'the least of these' --  but intentionally and actively seeking them out and embracing them with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. She was a woman with a love for mankind, and was humble, not seeking the limelight or any credit for herself, but instead she lived as she spoke: referring  "all to God in deepest thankfulness."

Mother Teresa, by Mariola Paini

Mother Teresa wasn't the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.  She didn't have a 6 figure income or a Swiss bank account.  She didn't live in a big, cushy mansion.  She didn't have her own talk show or reality series. She didn't need bodyguards when she went out in public.  There are no clothing lines, candy bars, restaurants nor perfumes named after her. From the world's standards, Mother Teresa was a sweet, steadfast, godly and kind-hearted woman, but probably not considered as someone who was highly successful.

But by God's standards -- she was!

Yes, success in God's eyes and success viewed through worldly eyes are two very different sightings indeed. We sweat and strive and struggle for the applause and the praise of the world.  While we covet  awards and plaques, and secretly pine away for corner offices and primo parking spots with our name and/or title emblazoned on them, God is desiring something else altogether.

When God welcomed His daughter, Mother Teresa, into His arms 15 years ago today, I believe He had to have said to her:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

and not:

"Well done, good and successful professional"

"Well done, good and famous celebrity"

It was Mother Teresa's humility, her obedience and her faithfulness in service to Him that pleased the Lord.  And so it must be for me and for you.

TRUE SUCCESS in any venture comes from God when we truly do things for Him out of a loving, humble and obedient heart; when we remain faithful to the tasks at hand and are thankful for the opportunities He presents to us. "Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed," says Proverbs 16:3.

Today, you might be on the cusp of a brand new venture, about to place your feet upon a new and very different path.  You may be starting a new or your very first job.  Perhaps you're beginning a new school year in college or in high school.  Maybe you're newly retired or you're awaiting for the arrival of your first child to usher you into the world of parenthood.

Whatever you're doing....wherever you're headed....be encouraged. Do your best. Look to the Lord God for strength, wisdom, guidance,  confidence, peace and love.  Trust in Him and what HE'S doing in your circumstances with all of your heart.  Allow Him to carry you and comfort you through those times when you feel you've failed.  When success comes your way,

REJOICE!

And like Mother Teresa, give all glory and honor and credit to God, along with your deepest thankfulness and gratefulness.

Blessed Teresa, by Dan Lacey
"Never bother about people's opinions.  Be humble and you will never be disturbed." ~ Mother Teresa
Born: August 27, 1910
Died: September 5, 1997

Do It Anyway

Earlier today, I was sitting in my room, finishing up a book I've been reading by Christian author, vocalist and Women of Faith speaker, Sheila Walsh, called 'Living Fearlessly.'  In the last chapter, she highlights a poem of sorts that she says was written by Mother Teresa. 

The words sounded strangely familiar to me.  I used to own a book about the life of Mother Teresa, yet I don't ever remember seeing these words attributed to her.  


So I did a little research (yes, that's me -- forever a Nancy Drew wannabe) and learned that these words were found written on a wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, while others claim it was found written on the wall of her own room in that home.


Other information states that this was based on something called 'The Paradoxical Commandments,' which I've also read, by Dr. Kent Keith, but it seems as if the second part of this composition was re-written with more of a spiritual mindset. 


I can't say for sure where and from whom this originated. No matter -- the fact remains that this is a beautiful poetic masterpiece (to me, anyway).  Inspiring, encouraging, filled with truth. 


If you are seeking to follow in the footsteps of Jesus -- serving as He served, living as He lived, loving as He loved -- but it just seems much too hard: Do it anyway.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Oh, and I finally did recall just where I heard the words before: