In response to Damien Riley’s Amazing Visions Writing Challenge, I decided that I would take some time to write about someone who amazed me with her small vision: Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha, knew at the age of 12 she wanted to be a nun. What she did not know is what a difference her presence in the world would make. While serving the Sisters of Loreto, she heard her calling to care for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers…all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

Everyone was skeptical of her vision to help the poor and the homeless, even the church. And yet, with much faith and persistence, she began the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa never thought she would become famous – and she didn’t want to be. But she was urged to speak to the world and share her message, so she did. 10 years later we can still learn a lot from her teachings:

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.

Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.

If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Though Mother Teresa has often been criticized, or some may find her “too religious” to handle, I can’t help but be amazed at how self sacrificing she was. She had a vision – and she did not let anyone stop her in fulfilling it. While she began with very little, today the Missionaries of Charity has grown into operating over 600 missions, schools, and shelters in 120 countries.

Could you imagine ever trying to do what Mother Teresa accomplished? Who do you think had an “amazing vision”?

If you’d like to learn more about Damien’s Amazing Vision Writing Contest, visit Postcards for the Funny Farm.