“God does not expect you to be perfect, but He does expect you to aim at perfection by doing your best.” This is what I read this morning out of my devotional. It was referring to receiving Christ in Holy Communion. That we do not need to worry about being overly pious or ‘prepared’…but on the other hand we need to try and ready ourselves to receive Him as best as we can and do not be flippant about attending Mass or going to confession.
However, this ‘perfection’ theme came up a few times in my day. In conversation with a friend we were discussing how difficult it can be to live up to a standard that is set before you by parents or peers that life is perfect…but when something goes wrong you then feel unable to share your sorrow because those around you will have to take off their ‘rose colored’ glasses. It is about accepting a vulnerability that can often be that ‘temptation’ that gets the best of us because it builds up a wall and sets us apart from everyone.
I then came home to a husband frustrated with me because I did not take care of the pool as well as HE would have taken care of it in the 8 days that he was gone. I’ll admit, I cleaned it every few days…and I didn’t get the water checked. Okay, so I’m not PERFECT. 🙂 I wanted to really scream when he said, “Why is it I can ask people to do something and it doesn’t get done?” WHAT? ‘people’? Since when am I ‘people’? Granted, yes, I failed on my task, and I do feel bad because now we had to spend a few extra $$ to take care of algea (who knew that stuff grows in a day???).
At any rate, I know I’m not perfect, but I also know I didn’t necessarily do my best either. I was lazy, I admit it. I could have done better and I’ll do better next time because now I know the consequences of my laziness! 🙂
Take the pressure off…don’t get so flustered in trying to paint a picture for a messed up world that your life isn’t as messed up as theirs…there is no need to add on the extra stress when we all have enough of that to deal with in our imperfect life!
Blessings
Shannon