Come Be My Light – Mother Teresa

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When making our school plans for studying the country of India, I decided that in addition to teaching my children a little bit about Mother Teresa, I’d like to find a book to read about her myself. I am SO glad that I did! I am in the middle of 2 books about her life and spiritual life and am already putting more on reserve from the library. I have been inspired, encouraged…and did I mention inspired? Wow!

Did you realize that Mother Teresa secretly dealt with a “darkness” that some would call depression for the better part of HALF of her life??

Did you know that Mother Teresa was completely in love with Jesus and considered Him to be her spouse?

Did you know that she never wanted these letters (that she wrote to her mentor) published for she didn’t want anyone to think less of her God?

I am amazed, convicted and inspired by this woman of God whose birth name was Gonxha Agnes. As one who struggles with depression and at the same time is growing in her prayer life, I come away from this book, Come Be My Light, with a deep appreciation for a woman who suffered in much silence yet continued to serve the poor around her with a deep determination and faith. What a beautiful testimony of her faith and trust in God.

I do not claim to understand every little part of this book, as Mother Teresa was obviously Catholic, and there are bits and pieces of that faith that I do not completely understand. A big portion of this book is the actual words of Mother Teresa, from letters that she wrote to her spiritual mentors and fathers. I love that I am reading what she actually wrote as I feel like I’m getting such a glimpse into this amazing woman’s life.

This “darkness” in her life, often described as silence from God to her, never swayed her faith or love for Jesus. She felt an emptiness and darkness in her life that I think many of us who struggle with depression can empathize with. Yet, “only by such faith could Mother Teresa know that Jesus was there but keeping silent.” Her continuing acts of service to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, as well as her deep prayer life, serve as an example for each of us that claims the name of Christ.

Oh that we all could have such faith!

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