The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

She Labored On Their Level

by: Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

5 September 2001

Today, Wednesday September 5th is a day to remember someone special in the lives of so many who were oppressed.

Four years ago, Sept. 5th, 1997, Mother Teresa died.

Her documentary was very uncommon when we compare it to the majority of society. For most of us, we have cried for attention and better accommodations from the moment we were born.

Don't get me wrong. I think God calls us to different tasks, and I thank him for those who have built better roads, bridges, airplanes, cell phones, computers, air conditioning, automobiles, etc.

The list goes on and on, but Mother Teresa took a different route than most.

She chose to forego the Jumer's Lodge living, even the "down home" Motel 8 accommodations, and asked that everything be taken out of her room except the bare essentials.

In this way she could best focus on service to God and the poor and needy.

It reminds me of a story I once heard from Rev. Icenogle of Monmouth.

He told of a problem child at camp that had crawled under the bunk and refused to come out. No matter what anyone said, the boy would not come out from under the bed. It was getting late, and everyone was going to the evening meal, so they called the chaplain to complain.

The chaplain came in and simply crawled under the bed and laid alongside him without saying a word.

Soon, the lad felt comfortable in talking with the chaplain who didn't make demands, but came down to his level. The boy came out and everything was fine.

It seems, Mother Teresa knew what she had to do to communicate with the poor and downcast in order to gain their trust. She wanted to understand their needs, so she went to their level.

The best thing we can do in our society, no matter what our position, is try to put ourselves in the shoes of the one we are communicating with.

It could be a distressed child or teen with tatoos and earrings, a lonely adult, someone with health problems, a parent or grandparent, or misunderstood board member, but if we reflect on the example of Mother Teresa, we will take ourselves to their level where we can feel their need.

Then, we can show compassion for those in other situations and can begin to build bridges throughout society.