Dec 19 2008
On Duty and Results
Duty is ours, results are God’s
– John Quincy Adams
Wow, does that take a weight off my shoulders! In many areas of life, the outcome depends upon the choices of others. As a mother, I can raise my children the best I know how — that is my duty. Then I can rest. The results are God’s, says Adams.
Well, rest is not exactly what I am supposed to do. I am, most likely, expected to go on to my next duty, and again leave the results to God.
This quote brings to mind something said by Mother Theresa of Calcutta. “We are called upon not to be successful but to be faithful.”
The peace that this realization can bring is overwhelmeing. We cannot control it all! Nor should we try. Here we have it in the words of two great people - a statesman and a saint of our time.
