Over the summer, Mother Teresa and I became friends. I read her autobiography, wrote a paper about her and watched a number of her interviews on YouTube. (which I totally recommend watching, she's radiant) And now, I pray with her from time to time. I'm always struck by the beauty of her soul and the heart that she had for every single person. She saw the dignity of each human being. Every individual she encountered was Jesus to her, and she was Jesus to them. She offered love to each person she met, no holding back, ever. She really was the presence of God to them.
I always fall short when it comes to loving in this way. I get caught up in my pride. I fear offering love because I'm afraid that means I will run dry. Which means that somehow God wouldn't be enough, which is nonsense. Or other times, I remain silent because I fear rejection, that what I offer won't be received, or that I won't be enough. But it's not about me in the first place.
Like I said, way falling short. But I have hope that one day, the Holy Spirit will overcome this selfishness in me.
This is what we communed on today, God, Mother Teresa and I. Through her writings, Jesus gave me a pep talk, something to instill real perspective and stir up courage, so that I might reach out to others, to our brothers and sisters, and share the love of God with them. Here are some snippets from that conversation. I share them in hopes that the Lord might speak to your heart as He did mine, and stir you to greater heights of love for all His children.
"Where you invest your love, you invest your life - when you give your time, your joy, your energy, your love to others - you show them their worth. You are a bearer of Christ's love for them. You show them they are cared for by Him, that they are not forgotten, that He loves them.
All is gift. Think of all your interactions with others as a gift. You are love to them. God has filled you with His love. His love will never run dry in you, so long as you don't close your heart to Him. God your Father delights in you. He longs to love the world through you. Everything you have is a gift meant to be shared.
By the power of His love and the work of the Spirit, let God transform you into sunshine, into rays of joy, peace and love. Let Him transform the world through love of you, through love of all His little ones - the souls of the world need this love.
Jesus, love us to joy - love us home, into the joy and peace of your presence - Jesus, love us to joy.
Love with the love that hurts.
Know people. You want to know people. You want to love. Go do it."
Come Holy Spirit.
Mother Teresa, pray for us.
#31daysofgrace #31dayswithMaryandTherese #Day2
I always fall short when it comes to loving in this way. I get caught up in my pride. I fear offering love because I'm afraid that means I will run dry. Which means that somehow God wouldn't be enough, which is nonsense. Or other times, I remain silent because I fear rejection, that what I offer won't be received, or that I won't be enough. But it's not about me in the first place.
Like I said, way falling short. But I have hope that one day, the Holy Spirit will overcome this selfishness in me.
This is what we communed on today, God, Mother Teresa and I. Through her writings, Jesus gave me a pep talk, something to instill real perspective and stir up courage, so that I might reach out to others, to our brothers and sisters, and share the love of God with them. Here are some snippets from that conversation. I share them in hopes that the Lord might speak to your heart as He did mine, and stir you to greater heights of love for all His children.
"Where you invest your love, you invest your life - when you give your time, your joy, your energy, your love to others - you show them their worth. You are a bearer of Christ's love for them. You show them they are cared for by Him, that they are not forgotten, that He loves them.
All is gift. Think of all your interactions with others as a gift. You are love to them. God has filled you with His love. His love will never run dry in you, so long as you don't close your heart to Him. God your Father delights in you. He longs to love the world through you. Everything you have is a gift meant to be shared.
By the power of His love and the work of the Spirit, let God transform you into sunshine, into rays of joy, peace and love. Let Him transform the world through love of you, through love of all His little ones - the souls of the world need this love.
Jesus, love us to joy - love us home, into the joy and peace of your presence - Jesus, love us to joy.
Love with the love that hurts.
Know people. You want to know people. You want to love. Go do it."
Come Holy Spirit.
Mother Teresa, pray for us.
#31daysofgrace #31dayswithMaryandTherese #Day2