— Midweek Meditations:
thoughts, inspiration and encouragement
from ACF community members —
These Wednesday meditations have been such a source of inspiration. It has been so enriching seeing where others find support to uplift, to carry on through times of despair, to reach deeper into sources that can guide us on our spiritual journey. I myself have learned so much: from being introduced to Richard Rohr’s daily notes to new ways of looking at one of my heroes Dietrich Bonhoffer.
Another of my heroes is Mother Teresa (1910-1997). This little Albanian nun had accomplished so much in her lifetime. She founded scores of shelters and received numerous accolades and, by 2012, the organization she founded, the Missionaries of Charity, had more than 4,500 nuns and was active in 133 countries. She was, however, not without her critics, many condemning her conservative views on abortion and contraception and accusing her of glorifying poverty and applauding suffering.
To me, though, it is the legacy that one leaves behind that is important. And for me, one legacy of Mother Teresa is a quote attributed to her I have hanging on my wall, a quote I read nearly daily. I share it in the hope that you too will find it comforting:
People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It has never been between you and them ….anyway.
Freiburg Anglican Church 
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