After leaving the movie theater this afternoon, Robert and I stopped by Barnes and Nobles to see a friend. When we walked into Barnes and Nobles, Robert immediately saw someone he knew, and soon he was off in conversation. I went to meet our friend. She was sitting there reading an article by Lance Armstrong. Brandi was obviously inspired by the way Lance goes after what he wants, knows he can get it, and goes after it!
Sometime back, Brandi and I had a discussion about her running a half marathon. She is a medical student, and has quite a bit on her plate. Brandi decided to table the discussion about the marathon...now it may be up for discussion again. Inspiration comes from SO many places!!
Meanwhile, Robert comes to join us, and we get into a great conversation about a number of things. Finally, Robert and Brandi are deep conversation about some things Robert and I have talked about quite a bit. I quietly dismiss myself, leaving them to solve the world's problems.
Anyhow, as I'm looking in the Christian section, I am thinking I want to read something that will inspire me to grow, to be a better Christian, and challenge my thinking. I ran across a book by, Mother Theresa. I flipped through some pages, read a part about some of the discouraging times Mother Theresa had gone through, and how there were times when it felt as if God had turned away from her. I continued to read and soon my eyes fell upon these words.
"Offer Each Other to Christ for Souls"
Mother Theresa continued to be cheerful and enthusiastic. Hers was no mere superficial joy but a deeply spiritual one. She explained the reasons behind it in an encouraging letter to her sick and suffering coworkers:
My very dear Sisters and Brothers,
For a long time I have been wanting to write & each time the post goes without my having written. But be assured that every one of us claim your love before the throne of God and there every day we offer you or rather offer each other to Christ for souls. We the Missionaries of Charity how grateful we must be-you to suffer and we to work.- We finish in each other what is wanting in Christ. What a beautiful vocation is ours, to be the carriers of Christ's love in the slums. Your life of sacrifice is the chalice or rather our vows are the chalice and your suffering and our work are the wine- the spotless host. We stand together holding the same chalice and so with the adoring Angels satite His burning Thrist for souls.
My very dear children-let us love Jesus with our whole heart and soul. Let us bring Him many souls. Keep smiling. Smile at Jesus in your suffering-for to be a real M.C. you must be a cheerful victim. How happy I am to have [you] all. You belong to means much as every Sister belongs to me here and often when the work is very hard I think of each one of you- and tell God-look at my suffering children and for their love bless this work, and it works immediately. So you see you are our treasure house-the power house of the M.C. Pray for me dear second selves and keep smiling for Jesus and for me."
______________________________________________________________________________________
I closed the book, tears had filled my eyes, and I rejoined Brandi and Robert. I had to read them what I had just read. Brandi smiled and said, "Isn't it funny...you came in and I was reading about Lance Armstrong...totally inspired...and then you read this writing by Mother Theresa and you are inspired!" Aren't we so different, and yet the same?
Yes, I would say Brandi and I are as different as Lance Armstrong and Mother Theresa... not exactly the same, and yet I would say their determination may be the anchor that held their dreams together and helped them see their dreams come to fruition.
Brandi and I often giggle about how God brought us together as friends. We are different, we don't always see eye to eye, but we love each other and cherish our friendship. We spur each other on to greater things than we have done so far. We make each other think about things through another set of eyes, and we have a genuine desire to see the best in each of us rise to the top!
I'm thankful that we have others who are what I call our "Iron Sharpens Iron" friends. I hope you have some of these types of friends in your life too!!
Well, well, well. . .look what I stumbled upon!!!!! Thanks for the props (inserting a "whoop-whoop sound effect here!). . .does this mean I have to do the half-marathon???? Ugh. . .more will be revealed. . . .in the mean time, in the words of my good buddy Lance, "Live strong baby. . .live strong"!!!!!! Grin!
Posted by: Brandi | September 05, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Well, Brandi.....concerning...do u still have to do the half-marathon...I guess this is where u have to weigh Wisdom, common sense, and inspiration against a medical student's schedule and demands. Once u see how all that shakes out, u will have your answer, Grasshopper. =)
Posted by: Vicki | September 05, 2008 at 05:48 AM
Hello...I am new to Coast and I don't think I have had the pleasure of actually meeting you personally but I just wanted to say
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
From our Family-Katina, Ty, Alec, Aaryn and Meagan
Posted by: Katina Hankins | September 19, 2008 at 07:03 AM