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THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness so that the power of Christ may rest in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.
Psalm 139: 13-14
Charles McCloskey was an unassuming, shy, quiet boy who barely spoke a word. His assigned seat was 3rd row, 3rd seat, directly in front of me in the 6th grade class we shared. Of slight build, a shock of white blonde hair, and jeans with plaid lining were his trademarks that year. It suddenly became apparent to me that he was the brightest boy in the class and worked hard at maintaining that title. What I didn't realize was that every time our teacher returned marked papers, he turned around to see the grade on my paper. I was his metric! He wanted to be the brightest person in the class. He wanted to be perfect. Unfortunately he drew me into his little game , and we spent the year expending our intellectual powers invisibly competing. He was not happy with imperfection, and it must have been contagious because neither was I. Neither of us knew that perfection is elusive.
It was during that year that I learned and experienced comparison is the thief of joy. I didn't yet understand that I was "fearfully and wonderfully made" as we all are. Nor did I realize that imperfection is a gift. I must admit there are still some times when I have trouble with that one.
Imperfection comes in many forms and can be the toughest moments in life. It can look like losing a job, struggling through a relationship, handling children in a less than sensitive way, experiencing hard things that bring us to our knees. It is often only then that we turn to God for help. When we humble ourselves to know that we can't solve every problem, can't heal every wound, can't find the key to every answer that's locked away, it seems it is only then that we can reap the reward of the "gifts of imperfection", Christ's love and Christ's power.
Be kind to yourself. Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Let the power of Christ rest in you.
Heavenly Father,
May the light of God surround me,
May the love of God enfold me,
May the power of God protect me,
May the presence of God watch over me,
Wherever I am God is.
In Your name I pray, Amen.
Barbara Schneider
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