We Are All Saint Within

One day a teacher asked her students in class to write the names of the other students on a peace of paper. “Leave space between each name” she instructed. When they finished, the teacher said “Underneath each name I want you to write all the good things you see in that person. “ Immediately the kids busied themselves with the task and took the entire period to finish it. The teacher took the papers home and collated the material. On a peace of paper for each child, she wrote all the positive qualities written by their classmates. On the next class, she handed out the papers to the kids. They were very happy to read the letters. “Wow, am I really this person?” some of them gushed. Many, many years later, the teacher received a phone call. One of her former students, who had become a soldier, was killed in battle. She attended the funeral and saw many of her former students condoling the bereaved family. As she stood beside the coffin looking at the lifeless body of a young men in uniform inside, a middle age woman approached her. “Are you my son’s grade school teacher?” “Yes” she said, you must be her mother, my deepest condolences.” “I’d like to show you something,” the mother said. “My son had this in wallet when he died”. The mother pulled out a worn out piece of paper. It was obvious that it had been folded and unfolded many times. Even before it was opened, the teacher already knew what it was. It was the piece, of paper that contained the list of positive qualities his classmate saw in him. He kept it and read it through all the years. By the time her students gathered around both of them. A young man beside the teacher said, “Uh, I carry mine wherever I go to!” A woman from behind said, “I still keep mine, it’s in my diary!” Another woman said, “It seems that all of us kept that paper all these years!” The teacher was moved beyond words. Why would a simple piece of paper mean so much? Because here’s the truth: Life can be rough. At various times, it can be cruel. Every time we fail, every time we received, we tend to doubt our worth. We tend to doubt our goodness. We are very desperate for love. We need to love the Saint within us. Love yourself! Each day, celebrate your positive qualities. Celebrate your goodness. Celebrate your beauty. Write down on a piece of paper and say them out loud each morning. Thank God for how wonderful He made you. Remember he hates our sin but he loves the sinner and he never stops. Because beyond the sinner, He sees a saint. So love the sinner and the Saint within you. May all your dreams come true.