The following is me wrestling with counsel from Mother Teresa. (Take from the book Mother Teresa: No Greater Love)
CAVEAT: I do not purport to be anything close to an equal of this amazing lady. I am simply a traveler processing what she has taught…
“Do not pursue spectacular deeds. We must deliberately renounce all desires to see the fruit of our labor, doing all we can as best we can, leaving the rest in the hands of God. What matters is the gift of your self, the degree of love that you put into each one of your actions.”
I want to see the “fruit” of my labor! I want to see results! I am not content with “the best I can” even if it is full of love. What if “the best I can” is not enough? What if I haven’t learned enough or been wise enough in my efforts? What if I did what I did with a lot of love but was unwise in its application? I want to see results.
“Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best. Neither glory in your success, but refer all to God in deepest thankfulness.”
If you weren’t Mother Teresa, I’d say that you were a habitual loser trying to mitigate the pain of continual failure. This almost sounds like that politically correct crap that says, “There are no losers.” And yet there is, beneath my drivenness, a desire to believe this.
“If you are discouraged, it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people’s opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. The Lord has willed me here where I am. He will offer a solution.
You’ve got me here. Maybe I do trust in my own “power” too much. OK, let’s drop the maybe… I do trust in my own strength too much. I want to do well. I want to succeed. I want my effort to produce results and when it doesn’t I get frustrated and discouraged.
paulpetersonlive.com 
Paul–
Great grrrrrrrrr face! Super “wrestlings”. I wonder if anyone will connect with the blog this time through a net search keyword “WWF Smackdown Wrestling with Mother Teresa”! 🙂
Thanks “Big Paul, the Wrastler”. Hey that photo would be good promo for the pay per view match! 😀
Mike
Yo P,
Hey I was just reading the blog and seeing if I could pick up on any of the subtle differences between you and Mother Teresa. The one thing that stuck out at me was in her 4 quotes she refered to God 4 times and in your 4 quotes you refered to yourself 20 times. Ouch!
You can keep wrestling if you want but I think she can take you!
Peace!
Paul;
I have to assume you’re attempting sarcasm on yourself. If not, then you have exposed the problems you’re having – yourself. Whatever it is we do, for it to be truly significant and meaningful, it must never be about us or what we want. It is quite possible for it to be “successful” and be about us but that is another matter entirely.
My der Pastor…
You are no Mother Teresa… God didn’t call you to be her. He didn’t equip you to wear a habit…
On the other hand, That sweet lady is no Paul Peterson. She wasn’t called to Cin, OH to plant a church and to be a father. She doesn’t have the gifts it takes to be who God has called you be. Learn from her, but do not attempt to be her, her work is done, done well, and is being rewarded… your’s is on it’s way and you will need the gift of that drive to manage your calling.
You’re the best in my book!
One question—is that you in a van….driving? lol
“The Lord has willed me here where I am.” sums it up pretty well. If we listen and follow HIS plan, we can know we’ve done our part, all we can, all because of him, not us. God calls and equips—we “simply” listen and obey….
And I think it would help with the pride thing if you wore a habit too… 😉
Paul–Many times we will never see the seeds we have sown or the good works we may have done but know one thing you will continue to grow only if you continue to humble yourself before the the Lord —He is using you in a wonderful way and the more good you do God will surely send you blessings and let you know if you are doing good or not..Stay humble and God will direct you through all the good and the bad –the mistakes and victories..then choose to learn from them all and you will continue to grow and do his good work..God Bless! MAC
ahhhhhhh the struggle we all have at times, Yet I know that you and me both land finally (albeit exhausted and sweaty from the wrestling match) on…
Not my will, but your will be done, Father.
Jacob may have got his hip out of joint, but he got the blessing he was looking for. The limp was a good reminder.
I think Mother Theresa would pin you! 😉
Blessings,