Wednesday, October 25, 2017

"Soothing Words" - Pastor Cindy's Devotion - October 25, 2017


Hello friends, 

Here it is Wednesday and this has been a challenging week for me.  Challenges are always a reminder that I can’t live this life on my own.  I need others around me, friends who love and support, and family who lean in and help one another.  And you, good church people who offer encouragement. 

Sometimes words are even an antidote to challenges.   This week words of Mother Teresa came to mind.  Mother Teresa is way beyond my league.  She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a group of Roman Catholic sisters whose work spread throughout the world caring for people with HIV/Aids and suffering the effects of poverty.   She is a modern-day saint, a model for Christian caring.

I bet none of this was easy.  I bet she faced challenges that make my paltry complaints look wimpy.  The work was hard.  She was criticized.  She faced health issues.  She battled with doubt.  And yet on she went. 
I will never be a saint.  And the challenges of this week (none of which the church is responsible for—“no pastor-pity,” no guilt or worry friends!) tested my ability to forgive and I didn’t always pass the test.  It was just a hard week.

And now it is Wednesday. 

And now it is time to renew and refuel. 

And now the words of Mother Teresa come to mind. 

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem*
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
*These words are attributed to Mother Teresa.  She may not be the author.  (Gosh, life is complicated.) 

On we go, despite the challenges.  Glad to be spending this life with you.  (Special prayers for all who have faced challenges this week.) 

See you Sunday, the start of a brand new week!

Every blessing to you. 

Pastor Cindy

Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church

We worship at 8:30 and 11 on Sunday and we would love to worship with you! 

Tonight!  Sweet Spooky Fun at Trunk or Treat!  6-730!  Bring the neighbors and come for some fun!  The Wednesday Night Live team will be serving up supper starting at 5:30. 


Commitment Sunday!  This Sunday we will claim our future as we make our financial commitment to the church in 2018.  Hope you will be there for this time of faith in action. 

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