"Living saint" brought light into world despite doubts.
Lewis ends with:
"One of the astounding things about Teresa's dark night of the soul is how long it lasted. Yet just as remarkable was her steadfast service and work for the poor and the weak, despite whatever doubts she may have harbored."
That "astounding thing" might seem inconsistent with the fact that she remained in steadfast service, but is it? I don't think so.
She had doubts because she was human, but even through the deepest doubts she had the faith necessary to be the face of Christ to so many. Her doubts did not exist because God does not exist, her doubts existed because she was human and I believe she recognized her human imperfections and rose above them to exibit a deep and abiding faith, even in the face of deep and abiding doubt.
Matthew 17:20 New International Version (NIV)
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
I bought a bracelet at a shop down in Galloway Village a few years ago. On that bracelet was inscribed a quote from Mother Teresa:
We Can Do No Great Things...Only Small Things With Great Love - Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was very human and knew just how human she was. She had a humble spirit and recognized that she couldn't do anything great, all she had to offer was a life of small acts motivated by the great love that Christ displayed for mankind.
It is not a "faith shaker" to me that Mother Teresa doubted. She was human. It is an inspiration that even in times of doubt and deep darkness her faith, even if as small as a mustard seed, sustained her service to Christ. That is what faith is all about.
