The Perfectly Imperfect Me

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Fab'rik

In a normal season of fall, this sweater would be the perfect staple for any wardrobe. It has just the right amount of warmth, with just the right amount of comfort. But since the temperature today is expected to reach 87 DEGREES, the sweater suddenly feels far from perfect. At 87 degrees, I should be sitting by the pool or walking around in shorts and a tank top. Of course, as a teacher, I am not complaining about this unusual weather (recess is a dream); but, once the temps start to drop, this outfit combo will quickly return to being the perfect look.
 
The funny thing about being perfect is that while it isn’t possible, it often feels expected. You always have to say the right thing, look the right way, have the correct opinion, and so on... But that’s not what life’s all about. That isn’t what being human is all about. I know that I am not perfect. My faith isn’t perfect. My words aren’t perfect. My thoughts aren’t perfect. As a human, I am prone to saying the wrong thing, handling things the wrong way, judging others, etc. I am as imperfect as the person next to me.

For a long time, being imperfect would have caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. And I would be lying if I told you that there still aren’t those days where the concern about being perfect sends me down a dark twisting spiral of fear and hopelessness. But over time, I have learned that I will never be perfect to all, and that’s okay because I am perfect in the eyes of the one who truly matters. Yes, you guessed it… Jesus made us each perfect in His eyes despite knowing that we would often appear imperfect in the eyes of those around us. We are going to mess up. Yet, because of these perfectly imperfect moments, Jesus also teaches us to forgive.
 
So, today, when you encounter your own perfectly imperfect moments, whether with yourself or with those around you, I pray that you remember God’s grace. I pray that you forgive yourself. I pray that you forgive your neighbor. But most importantly, I pray that you remember that in His eyes, no matter what, you will always be perfect. 

God is within her, she will not fall. - Psalm 46:5