As we will see throughout this book, true greatness is a passionate love
for God that demonstrates itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others.
It reminds me of a man named Nick and his wife, Drana. She was
a contented homemaker, and Nick was a successful businessman. They had a good-sized
house in the decent neighborhood and enough money to make most of their dreams
come true. To the casual observer, it was evident that Nick and Drana were going
to see their children follow in their footsteps and achieve many of the benefits
that a successful adult life has to offer.
But Nick and Drana weren’t content with such trivial goals;
they wanted a far more significant life for their kids. They wanted to raise
kids who gave back to life much more than they took.
And as parents, they knew that their example carried more clout
with their children than their words ever could. That’s why their home
was often a stopover for strangers or people who needed a place to regroup. They
used their resources to lighten the burden that many unfortunate people around
them had to carry.
On top of that, they didn’t see church as a place to merely
park and watch on Sunday but as a launching point for an attitude of service
seven days a week. They sang in the choir and volunteered in church ministries
that enabled them to put sweat on their faith.
Their youngest daughter, Agnes, developed an unquenchable longing
to use her life to do something that would outlive her. She passionately desired
to turn her love for God into actions that affected people for His glory and
for their personal good.
Agnes was smart, attractive, and industrious, but these attributes
meant little to her. She learned from her parents that the best things you have
to offer in life come from your heart, not your head; from your character, not
your charm; from your love, not your looks. Her heart spilled over with authentic
kindness, and she was willing to put herself at great risk to share that kindness
with the people who needed it most.
As a young woman, Agnes decided to devote her life to showing
grace and mercy to “the poorest of the poor”—the people nobody
else was willing to reach out to. She ministered among the most dangerous criminals
and in the worst conditions
known to humankind. She loved God and she loved others. Everything about her
personal and professional life brought glory to God by bringing hope to as many
people as she could.
During her career, she started a movement called the “Sisters
of Charity.” She also borrowed the name of an unassuming Catholic nun who
believed in the “little way”—working for good by carrying out
very simple tasks joyfully. Agnes ended up unintentionally branding this name
into everyone’s mind as someone who has lived a life of true greatness.
The world knew Agnes as Mother Teresa.
Without setting out to do anything more than love the hard to
love, this lady personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives, raised millions
of dollars to help the poor, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.
Nick and Drana didn’t aim their daughter at money or fame;
they simply raised her to make a difference in the world. And the success their
daughter experienced was not driven by her résumé
or by some strategic plan; rather, it was the kind of success that
often accompanies people who want to use their lives to do
something that makes people feel better and God look good.
The road that Mother Teresa took was long, lonely, and often
crowded with inexhaustible needs, but it led her to a life of true greatness.
Why Not Raise Your Kids for True Greatness?
“Oh, come on,” I can hear some of you protesting. “You’ve
got to be kidding me! You’re leading off your argument by using Mother
Teresa as an illustration of what true greatness looks like? Earth to Tim: my
child is never going to be a Mother
Teresa.”
Before you shut this book and head back to the store for a refund,
let me ask you one question:
Why not?
While I’m at it, let me ask you a few more. Why do we
dream such small dreams and expect so little from our children? Why do we assume
that we have such limited capabilities as parents? Why do we assume that great
people have to be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to our efforts
as parents? Why don’t we think that our children can ever take rank among
the truly great? Worse, why do we sell God’s bigger plan for our lives
so short?
Obviously, there are no guarantees in life. And I’m not
in any way suggesting that if you read this book and apply what you learn, your
child will become the next Mother Teresa.
But, then again, she might. Your sons and daughters have the
potential of making an extraordinary difference in life. And they don’t
have to join the Sisters of Charity or live the life of a monk to pull it off!
Most kids would love the chance to live their lives for something more than merely
what is in it for them. Wouldn’t you like to find out how?
If so, this book is for you. Read on.
Trade Paper: 192 pages
Publisher: W Publishing Group; (May 10, 2006)
ISBN: 0849909511
A
Bundle Of Greatness
Get Raising Kids For True Greatness and Home Grown Heroes together
and save more!
