One of the things I said to Dennis while we were on his summer sabbatical was this:
I'm going to stop saying I'm going to do great things for God. As we were enjoying the cool waters of the Adriatic Sea one hot afternoon, we were talking about the "what's next" for our lives. He knew what his hopes were for the sabbatical - personal renewal and ministry refocus - but now he was asking about me. We had a laugh about my statement, but seriously . . . I've used this line since I was a teenager and now in my 50's I'm well aware of the fact that I haven't done anything that might be considered "great for God."
This past Saturday our church held a D.R.A.F.T. (Developing Real Action for the Tri-cities) conference where I heard this Mother Theresa quote:
There are no great deeds, only small deeds done in great love.I like this thought - it resonates with my heart. While the first (my line) is a noble cause, the second is simple, yet profound. One's about me, the other about God. This will be my heartbeat for the latter half of life. Not great deeds, but great love. I have much to learn about this great love.
Oh God, may my faith be transmitted to
others out of a heart of love.
5 comments:
Great insight Gwen.
Jill
Thanks for sharing that mom. That is something God has been putting on our hearts as well lately. I'm learning that with most things in my life it is just one step at a time and that I shouldn't spend all my time looking so much at the big picture but at what to do now/today. Looking at the huge me-focused statement is enticing and exciting (doing great things), but it doesn't usually get me anywhere, but a small deed with love - that is do-able.
Love you mom!
Jamie
Thanks Jill and Jamie for the comments.
Jamie, I almost used the word "doable" in my post. When we think in the greater realm, we often don't do anything because it feels so overwhelming. But with small deeds we can say, "I can do that." And the heart of "great love" can only grow as we initiate the small deeds.
Hello Gwen
I like the quote from Mother Theresa. I think you have done many great acts for God. Raising 4 wonderful children and supporting your husband all these years is a big task and you did it well.
Mom,
Thanks for the encouraging words you sent my way. When I wrote this post, I thought about the fact that my greatest contribution and investment in this world has been my family - both Dennis and the kids. Too often we don't think that that's a great thing for God. We have these other grandiose ideas of what that may look like. And, now that I'm thinking about it . . . the family thing is all about small deeds done in great love.
Love you Mom!
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