Perfection

Being perfect is overrated.  I think.  I've never been perfect so I can't really say for sure.

So often we try to be more than we are.  When we fail to complete the task, we are disappointed in ourselves that we couldn't be what we thought we should be.  We see ourselves as incomplete or even unworthy.  We set expectations for ourselves based on what other people accomplish rather than what we ourselves can do.

Being realistic is very difficult for some people.  I am not saying you shouldn't set goals for yourself.  It is always good to challenge yourself.  But to challenge yourself to be more than you are designed to be is not right.

God loves us for who he created us to be.  He did not create me in comparison to the next person.  He did not create my sons in comparison with one another.  He created us all in his image...which should be enough.

God doesn't want us to be perfect.  He just wants us to be "us".  Why is that so hard for us to figure out?  We don't have to be superstars.  We don't have to be anything more than what we are.  What God wants from us is fairly simple.  He wants us to be loving...forgiving...compassionate...encouraging people.

We should take care of ourselves, but not long to be something physically that we are not.

We should challenge ourselves based on what we could do better, but not on what others do well.

We should take pride in what we have earned, but not be boastful.

We should be forgiving to ourselves and to others when we stumble and fall.

(Preface:  This is not a knock on runners.  I have many runner friends that I love and am VERY proud of.)

I have always wanted to be a runner, but it isn't something I do well.  I see many people posting about running on social media and I'm jealous.  (There...I said it.)  I'm jealous because they were able to set a goal for themselves that they accomplished.  It was good for their body and good for their mind.  I have tried becoming a runner so many times.  And the truth is...

I don't like to run.  (There...I said that too.)

I hate it.  I hate it with a passion.

I only wanted to do it because it seemed to be the thing everyone else was doing.  I challenged myself to run because other people in my life were making that happen.  When I wasn't able to find the "fun" in it...I quit.  I stopped and I was so disappointed in myself.

I think it is quite obvious that I don't really even like working out.  I can do it.  I don't "hate" it, but I don't "love" it either.

Often times I look at myself as a failure because physical fitness isn't my best friend.  I compare myself to those who have a passion for working out and think..."I am so pathetic."

And then I realize that...perhaps God made me to be different.  Yes...yes he did.  I may not have a passion for running.  I may not have a passion for working out.  I may never (quite possibly EVER) run a one mile or a 26.2 mile race.  But this doesn't make me a failure.

I have a passion for writing.  I have a passion for being a Mom.  I have a new found passion for teaching.

I am who I am...and God says that's enough.

How encouraging is that?  Say it.  Whatever you are...wherever you find your motivation...whatever moves you to be who you are...It's enough.  You are enough.

Be who you are and love what makes you...you.  God does.

Have a blessed day!
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