Editor's journey
The day I met Mother Teresa
CALCUTTA, INDIA — Some years ago, an Assemblies of God
missionary arranged for me to meet privately with Mother Teresa.
She extended her hand to greet me and held mine until the
formal introduction was finished. Her hands were noticeably calloused and her
feet were bare against the concrete floor.
That afternoon I expected to hear deep spiritual truths and
glean insights into the fight against hunger and disease.
Instead she wanted to discuss my personal interests, writing
projects and family history. She wanted to know about my parents and the names
of my wife and children.
I was struck by her genuine interest in a stranger from the
United States. Her string of questions and eye contact made me feel like our
conversation mattered.
I’ve often reminisced about Mother Teresa’s hospitality and
concern. No doubt she believed that every person is special to God and, thus,
should be valued. That day she made me feel valued.
I was reminded that the abandoned boy in the streets of
Calcutta, the ill grandmother in a retirement facility and the unborn child
growing in her mother’s womb are valued by God. He sent His Son to die on a
cross because He values people.
As followers of Christ, we also have a reverence for life.
Through our words and deeds, we declare value in a world that seeks to devalue
the poor, the sick, the suffering and the unborn.
We feed the hungry, we lift up the fallen, we defend the
defenseless and we even open our hearts to strangers — all because we
love God and we value those He created.
Hal Donaldson
E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.
