"Lord, make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, may I bring love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Oh, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; not so much to be understood as to understand; not to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life."
-Mother Teresa

tonight in watching the story of mother teresa's life, admittedly a bit idealized, her love, her perseverance to her calling, and her faith shone brightly. surmounting numerous obstacles to her work with children and the dying, "hard-pressed" from various sides, she never gave up.

"Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet especially your family. Be holy – let us pray."

what a new take on letting the joy of the LORD be my strength. he sustained her, the nuns under the Sisters of Charity, and projects around the globe for decades. such faith and simplicity humble me. LORD, allow your joy to truly be my strength. i want to look for you in the face of every person i encounter.