Wisdom of a Mother

One of my all time favorite quotes was from Mother Theresa. She was fond of saying, "I can do no great things, only little things with great love." Within that simple quote are three major components for a life well lived.

1.) Humility: The story of the Tower of Babel is a story of humankind attempting to "make a name for themselves." It is the ongoing endeavor of self-exaltation. We love to try to be something big, be something important, and do something that will change the world. We want to be remembered! So, we set out to conquer the world and leave our legacy. But, much of that is motivated by pride and ambition...more so than the good of the world. What this Mother's wisdom speaks to is the reality that we are nothing more than blades of grass that shoot up one day and wither the next. We weren't designed to conquer, save, or fix the world. We were designed to live in the world, surrendered to the design of the One on whom the world rests and has its being. We are called to take up our often small and humble tasks of fulfilling our particular role within the overall framework of God's saving plan for the world. In an orchestra when any of the instruments attempt to compete for recognition, the music ends up sounding funky and off. But when each instrument fulfills its small role...that's when beauty happens.

2.) Responsibility: Though we have suggested our role to be small and humble, we still have a role! This Mother's wisdom reminds us that though what we do might not be great or large, it is still something. In fact, the life of faithfulness is filled with those day to day, sometimes seemingly insignificant, acts of responsible living that make the biggest difference. We have the responsibility to care for the the lonely, sick, and outcast. We have the small responsibility to extend love, mercy, and compassion. We are given the humble task of forgiveness and servanthood. Though our role may never make us a name...it still requires action.

and finally,

3.) Faith: We engage the world through humble responsibility by learning to trust that God can do with that action what we never thought possible. When we live humble lives of loving action, God moves in those small moments and makes big differences. In the end...it is God's name that is exalted and not ours.

That is some pretty powerful Mother's wisdom.