So here’s what I’m discovering about missionary work: it involves doing a whole bunch of stuff that other people just don’t want to do, but is really necessary. If you’re ever wandering around Covecrest and you’re wondering who changes out the toilet paper, or who cleaned the sheets you’re sleeping on, or who washes the dishes, you can bet it was one of us. I think we’re all kind of struggling with that at the moment; loving God and serving Him through all the small, seemingly insignificant things of everyday life. We’ve talked quite a bit about “loving until it hurts” lately, something we’ve adopted from Mother Teresa’s life, and I think I’m just scratching the surface of what that means. It means washing the mugs a 6th time within the space of an hour because you know that a group wants hot chocolate when it’s raining outside. It means working and praying through tiredness when you wake up to cook and serve a group breakfast after 5 hours of sleep and a 15-hour workday the day before. It means doing things that probably go unnoticed, but doing them out of love for God and His children whom He’s called us to serve.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:4-8).
I’m slowly working my way toward making my life parallel Paul’s definition of love. It’s a daily struggle for me. This is a critical time; either I continue to throw myself into a “life that is not my own” (Galatians), or I stop because it doesn’t look exactly how I expected it to. Now is when faith becomes a choice, when love starts becoming. But it’s precisely in the choosing that we grow closer to God. It’s about every day, running toward God’s mercy and re-choosing love. It’s about knowing that when I’m not smart enough, or strong enough, or wise enough, or holy enough, God says, “I AM.”
“He does not faint nor grow weary...He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak He makes vigor abound” (Isaiah 40:28-29).
7 comments:
It brings tears to my eyes and a joy bounding through me to hear your experiences and growth in your faith. I miss our talks and I miss you. I can't wait to catchup and pray. He is obviously giving you the strength you need and lighting that fire and passion in your heart. Keep me in your prayers as you are always in mine. It has been difficult for me recently. "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
Sounds like God's making his mark in your life and I'm so glad that you can take from your experience so much. It's a great thing you have a community that is working next to you scrubbing the floors right by your side. Affirm them and be affirmed in the fact that St. Therese (who Mother Teresa chose as a namesake) did the same and found God in those acts.
And remember,
We love you Danielle. Oh yes we dooo......
I remember the rest now (thanks to Google):
When you're not near us, We're blue! Oh, Danielle, we love you!!!
I know I'm a nerd.
Hmmm,
sounds a lot like a parent, except you missed the puke and diaper years!(poppop)
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing so that your almsgiving may be a secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you." -MT 6:1-4
Mamcita, we really could have done without the puke and poop...I'm sure you could have too!
Jess, that poem was remarkably touching. One would think that it was you who went to Whittier College with such a gift for poetry.
"Invisible work" is what you are doing. Other's may not see it, but God does, and knows what is in your heart and soul. I think and pray for you often and hope you are doing well. Much love ---
Aunt K.
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