Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. We look forward to honoring all mothers in worship on Sunday as their sacrifices and selflessness remind us of Christ and his character. In thinking about Mother’s Day, I was reminded of a mother we have all probably heard of at some point in our lives: Mother Teresa. St. Teresa dedicated her entire life to children all over the globe who suffered from hunger, poverty, or disease. On the night mother Teresa died, a poem was found by her bedside. The poem was written in her handwriting and was titled “Anyway.” Her poem has become a favorite of mine:
“
Anyway”
People are often unreasonable 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 false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give the best you have anyway.
For in the final analysis it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
Indeed, our lives are to be lived for God’s approval alone. See you Sunday at 10AM. Blessings to you all!
Pastor Mark