For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
Our son, Sammy, got a puppy. It’s a German Shorthair Pointer, just like our nine-year old dog, Joy St. Clare. When we asked him her name, he said, “Hope St. Teresa.” With the name, Hope, our minds went to one of his favorite Bible passages, which is today’s Scripture, Jeremiah 29:11-13. We are thankful his hope is in the Lord and that dog will be a reminder of that. Then we inquired further, “Which Teresa?” Mother Teresa and Teresa of Avila are two of our favorite saints who have inspired us through their lives and writings as followers of Jesus Christ. After telling us it was Mother Teresa, he shared this quote with us, know widely with the title, “Do it anyway!”
“People are often unreasonable, irrational, 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 unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.”
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) had this written on the wall of the home for children in Calcutta, India. She likely adapted it from “The Paradoxical Commandments” by Kent Keith.
No matter what anyone else says or does related to their giving, living, serving and loving.
Give, live, serve, and love generously anyway!