First Impressions

"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." ~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Catholic Nun (1910-1997)

He brought the little old woman to her room. The secretary had heard she was diminutive in stature, but he was still shocked at how tiny, old and wizen she seemed. The attendant followed them carrying her battered old suitcase. Unlocking the door he let her into her room then motioned the attendant to bring the bag inside. “Where would you like this” he asked? “There in the chair would be fine” she responded simply.

The young man dropped the bag in the chair, gave a slight bow and headed out the door. The old woman stood there staring all around the room. “Is everything OK” The secretary asked. “It’s much too big and a bit overdone,” she said absent mindedly.

“Well if you need anything just pick up the phone over there and the operator will take care of you,” he said brightly heading for the door. “It’s getting on into the evening and I imagine you will want to rest.” She didn’t respond. “I will call for you at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.” Still no response… “Goodnight,” he said and closed the door quietly.

The next morning the secretary knocked on her door at 9:00 sharp. He heard rustling in the room, but no response. He knocked again; a little harder this time. Finally the door opened slightly and the woman peered out at him. Her eyes seemed tired and bloodshot. “Come in, I need a few minutes,” was all she said. As he entered he noticed the suitcase was still in the chair where it had been placed the night before. It seemed untouched.

The little old woman returned from the bathroom. She looked particularly tired, “Did you sleep well,” he asked. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, I had work to do.” “Work?” he responded. “Yes, work.”

The secretary was incredulous. “What did you do last night” he asked. “After you left I went out into the streets to minister to the poor.” “There are a lot of poor people in this city.” “I didn’t get in till after 2:00 this morning.”

“You were out wandering the streets of Rome at night?” The secretary couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “Well you didn’t expect me to sit around here all night did you?” she responded. A faint smile seemed to appear for an instant. “His Holiness is expecting us,” advised the secretary recovering his composure. “We need to be on our way.”

As they left he wondered what other revelations the day had in store.

Teresa and I leave for Rome next week to attend Archbishop Jose Gomez’ Pallium Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Over the last several weeks we have had a lot of questions: What is the appropriate dress at the various functions? Where are we sitting? Where is our hotel in relationship to Vatican City? What shoes should be worn and/or carried (style versus comfort)? How does one greet a Bishop, an Archbishop or a Pope? And so on… All of this seems very important at the moment. After all, we want to look our best. Or at least we don’t want to look bad because we did something inappropriate.

The day Mother Teresa met Pope John Paul II for the first time she too could have focused on a number of things: What she would say? How she would appear? How nice her room was? How impressed she was with Vatican City? Et Cetera… And yet, she focused on none of these. Mother Teresa focused on what she always focused upon: caring for the needy, the underprivileged, and the hungry, essentially anyone in need.

In a world where so much attention is given to how we look, how we act, the impression we make, will we be respected and a host of other self image issues are we not all called to something greater? In fact, are we not called to care for one another first and, in so doing, save the world? Today, if we all decided poverty would end, it would end. If we all decided wars would cease, there would be peace. If we all made sure everyone was fed, there would be no more hunger.

When it comes to making an impression on the world do we want to be remembered for how good we looked when we showed up? Or, like Mother Teresa, do we want to be remembered for the number of people we helped and saved?

Dear God: Remind me always that my actions speak louder than my appearance.

"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 was never between you and them anyway."
~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Catholic Nun (1910-1997)


© 2011 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.

“90 Second Stewardship” All rights are reserved. You are welcome and encouraged to forward this e-mail to family and friends provided the”© 2011 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.” is included along with this message. Organizations, whether for or non profit, are required to receive written approval before reproducing these reflections. If written approval is given the ”© 2011 James E. Carper. All rights reserved.” must be included along with this message.