Short Thought on Faithfulness and Success

I recently heard a story of a U.S. Senator who once asked Mother Teresa during a visit to one of her Calcutta hospitals, “How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?” Mother Teresa replied, “My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful.” Mother Teresa couldn't "heal," but she could tend to those in need all the while hoping for God's blessing upon her work.

Everyday life is no different. I was working in the yard the other day looking at bare patches that need seeding, and the thought occured to me that plant as many seeds as I may, I cannot make one blade of grass grow. Sure, I can sew a seed in the ground, but it is God who does the miracle.

In short, assured success for my own efforts is not within my power to claim. Faithfulness, however is within my grasp. I believe that just as a good farmer is faithful to plant, water, cultivate, and pray for the miracle, we too should be faithful tending to the garden we're given and trusting in the good harvest that is solely His to give.