The Child

 Unlike the worldview that children are a burden, Blessed Mother Teresa always knew that children are the “greatest gift.”  It’s tempting to get caught up in our daily work, keeping up our home, chauffeuring kids to games and meets, or engaging in our various forms of escapism.  In turn, we tend to forget that our children are true miracles and we must cherish every moment we are given with them.

If we consider this statement literally, then the word family would encompass our family of origin, immediate, or extended family.  But Mother Teresa is asking us to look broader and consider that every person is a member of our family.  Since we are all adopted sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father, we are adopted siblings through the bond of Jesus and under the protection of His mother.  If we remembered that every person is part of our family in a metaphysical sense, perhaps we would treat people with more patience, kindness, and thoughtfulness.