just be woman...

When I think of what I am good at…well, I love a million things…but what am I good at? Oh man, I could not go into business for anything. I studied a million languages, but none to perfection, though I do speak Spanish well enough to claim it. I love dance and the fine arts. I love getting my hands muddy on a potter’s wheel. Photography intrigues me. I enjoy changing my physique through nutrition and exercise. I like trying new things, new experiences (excepting those involving cow intestine.) I adore looking at home decor and artistic architecture. I feel alive exploring nature, history, cultures, and continents. I cherish and am fascinated by principles of liberty and the concept of liberating captive whether via education, health, feeding the hungry, friendship, repentance, etc. Pregnancy, birth, and lactation…I know enough to feel entirely at ease and help others who want help from me. I make a few mean Italian and other dishes and can bottle preserves like a Great Depression guru. I love my faith. I adore homeschooling with my kids. Music moves me. I’m a romantic. I love a good conversation with a bite of controversy so I can learn something. Reading has always given me inspiration and changed me. I love most being around people I can learn from and helping my family.

But, to do what I really need to do in life, I don’t need to go into business for some special talent. In fact, while I have a hard time labeling myself an expert or lover of any particular topic, it is enough to love and enjoy and express myself through many genres of life! Don’t you think that works?

What I can do darn well…I could almost write a book…is being a woman. I can do that.

Mother Teresa

Tonight Jeff and I saw the 2003 movie, "Mother Theresa". For two hours we got a glimpse at what her service was like. The feel reminded me specially of the movie "Gandhi", which is a favorite. Oh, but what really matters is that I was so moved all along.

She followed her heart from the onset, serving in situations that put her in danger, risking her calling as nun, and inadvertently displeasing people she loved and admired. Her character was strong and she had to keep going, to serve the broken-bodied and broken-hearted. She went on to strive through challenge after challenge as she set up care homes for orphans and destitute. She had one place she dreamed of creating, her "City of Peace", where such people were to live and heal. Incredible! Despite obstacles that would leave me crying, she persevered. She did feel like she could not go on, but she did because she knew her calling came from Jesus. She leaned on the strength and courage that only God can supply.

I love and admire and feel healed myself from this marvelous woman's life. I can't help but analyze recent decisions, my typical concerns, and patterns of thinking and contrast against her godly attitude. My heart is broken for poor choices I have made, ill-placed priorities, and weaknesses, yet, I feel lifted because even in her example that calls a person to greater living and internal scouring, there is so much love that I feel cherishable, despite feeling weaker. Thank you, sweet Mother Theresa, for loving where it was hard to believe one lovable and to inspire service which springs from a deep love for God.

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.

Mother Teresa