Every Awakening Together Trustee Meeting begins with the contemplation of a centering quote. In the last meeting, Jacquelyn shared this quote:
“If you can’t do great things, Mother Teresa used to say, do little things with great love. If you can’t do them with great love, do them with a little love. If you can’t do them with a little love, do them anyway. Love grows when people serve.” ~ John Ortberg, The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God’s Best Version of You
That quote reminded me of a song I used to listen to over and over and over again in the summer of 2004. I lived in Massachusetts at the time. I was studying A Course in Miracles and doing the daily workbook lessons. I hadn’t received my calling yet. I had no idea a calling was coming, but for some reason I was extremely attracted to this song.
The song was A Song for Mother Teresa by Scott Grace. The simple lyrics say:
Let every action of mine be something beautiful for God.
Let every action of mine be something beautiful for God.
Peace and love, peace and love in the simplest service.
Peace and love, peace and love in the simplest service.
In this life we can’t do great things, only small things with great love.
In this life we can’t do great things, only small things with great love.
Through Spirit’s grace, for all my days, I will serve with joy.
Peace and love, peace and love in the simplest service.
I remember sitting in the car while Jasmine was in gymnastics class or taking horseback riding lessons, listening to the song over and over. I would close my eyes and allow the song to penetrate my heart as deeply as possible. I put all of my attention on the song, and I did not let my mind wander away from its lyrics.
I didn’t know it at the time, but this song was preparing me for service. In just a few months, I would receive a calling, and a life of guidance that I never could have predicted would begin.
I believe this song gave me the right attitudes of service.
Giving, without trying to get in return.
Humility, instead of seeking praise.
And the willingness to do whatever guidance asked, without reservation.
As I prepare to step back from the role of President-Minister, and Awakening Together prepares for a new phase of service-life, will you listen to this song? I believe Awakening Together will call forth service from many of you, service you may not have imagined and cannot predict. Will you let this song prepare you as it prepared me?
