Katie wrote me a sweet note after visiting here. When I paid her blog a visit I was so convicted by what I read I had to share it. Like, shout it from the rooftops is more like it.
She begins with a simple premise - "I hope I get to Heaven." Then goes on to explain how she has composed a plan for personal progress in that general direction based on Mother Teresa's Humility list. (see below) In a series of posts she shares her thoughts about how these points look in the context of marriage. I think it would be a fruitful exercise to consider how they look in the context of friendship, in cyber communities, and any number of other applications as well.
Her thoughts remind me of a wonderful old book by St Francis de Sales that another young mother shared with me a few years ago which set into motion a whole change of perspective for me. I wish I had been blessed with these resources as a much younger woman. I can't change that part, but I can tell you how richly blessed I have been to cross paths with women of such remarkable integrity and profound character who have challenged me to grow, to embrace change, to respond to pain in whole new ways, and to try harder.
I thought the other night during prayer that we can accept our crosses and still not be getting it. For we are asked not only to accept but to embrace. It is the folly of the cross that the instruments of our pain and suffering are the very ones which open heaven to us. If this is so, we ought to have no other response to them than deep, grateful embrace. Sometimes, many times, it is hard to picture what that looks like in practice. Katie's list and reflections are a very good start. Don't miss them. I would venture to say that the lion's share of our personal upsets and interpersonal conflicts in life comes from failure to heed one or another of these counsels.
Mother Teresa’s Humility List
1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
3. Avoid curiosity.
4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
8. Give in to the will of others.
9. Accept insults and injuries.
10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
11. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.
12. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
13. Do no protect yourself behind your own dignity.
14. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
15. Choose always the more difficult task.
"Let my soul flower in thy sight"
- the theme of Katie's blog
Wow. That list is serious food for thought. How to follow while being a good parent, wife, daughter...
As Fr. Corapi says, "Always come as a servant, you will never be disappointed."
Posted by: Barbara | October 19, 2010 at 02:27 PM
Kim,
Thanks for sharing this list. I've never seen it before. I've been praying the Litany of Humility for a few months now, I think this list could be helpful to me.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 19, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Thank you so much for sharing! You provide so much insight. Is the book by St. Francis de Sales "Introduction to the Devout Life"? My husband has been reading it faithfully and I'm determined to obtain my own copy.
Also, I love the peaceful music addition to your site. "Baby Mine" is my favorite lullaby to sing to my 7-month-old.
Posted by: Katie | October 19, 2010 at 08:31 PM
Jeani, if you are out there can you weigh in on the book title? It was the one you loaned me in the parking lot a while back.
Posted by: Kim | October 19, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Dear Kim,
I've linked this one--just what God has been working in me lately, so far to go, but what a blessed journey! I have been enjoying your travels and thanking God for the blessings I knew He had in store for you all--thank you for sharing. Lots of love.
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry | October 20, 2010 at 03:28 AM
The name of the other book I mentioned was Consoling Thoughts of St Francis de Sales which is out of print and not available through the online libraries. Should anyone track down a copy for a reasonable price please let me know.
Posted by: Kim | October 20, 2010 at 07:58 AM
I read this entry sometime last week and keep coming back to it. I had never seen Mother Teresa's Humility List. I've posted it on my own blog and linked to your entry so I can continue to try and grow in this area. Thank you so much for sharing! This has been a blessing to me.
Posted by: Nancy | November 08, 2010 at 06:38 AM