4/7/2014 – Monday of 5th week in Lent – Daniel 13:41c-62

         Sometimes things are not what they seem.  Two elders appear as witnesses against a young woman – it seems to be an open and shut case.  However, with his cunning, a young boy named Daniel gets to the heart of the matter and helps prove this young woman’s innocence. 

         Recently, a friend sent me the “Anyways Prayer” written by Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  The message of this prayer is similar to the message of Daniel – times the ways of the world seem pretty clear cut, but the values of the Lord will prevail in the long-run. 

The Anyways Prayer of Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.