The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CROOKED (04/30/20)
PERFECTION
It does not have to be perfect to be good.

I have come to this conclusion over the years. You see I am a closet perfectionist. I say closet because my home certainly does not display total perfection. A woman I knew years ago had a spotless home. She was the envy of the neighborhood.

Spurred on by her dedication I aspired to create the same results which briefly was all well and good. But then other things attracted my attention and perfection in this area waned. For one thing I realized I could not obtain perfection so why try? This may sound strange to you, or not, depending on your own struggle with perfectionism. I know this is a real thing because, as I worked with some very bright 4 year old children years ago, I found the same problem in some of them. They were able to complete the assignment given but they would give up after a few tries because they were still learning and of course their work would not be perfect.

I am one of those. But I still have this inner striving, though realistically this is a fragile goal at best. That is why it breaks so easily.
The only perfection is God and God’s first man and woman. Our original parents were perfect before they disobeyed and sinned. I think we all are unconsciously are trying to get back to “The Garden” and to God’s perfect design for us. Sadly, it is out of our reach for our time here on earth.
I am reminded of a difficult time a few years ago when my husband came home from work complaining of pain. As the days passed the pain became unbearable and, through much treatment, we discovered he had a blood infection.
I became his reluctant nurse. I had to administer IVs, I still shudder at the thought, and countless other medical procedures along with keeping track of his meds.
I was totally overwhelmed and the perfectionist in me was really in a turmoil. Not a day went by when I did not slip up on something.
The interesting thing about this situation was that in the week before his illness God had laid a portion of scripture on my heart. “ I will go before you and make the crooked places straight--” Isaiah 45:2 I had claimed it for other things but now I was truly claiming it for this situation.
I picture it this way. If you are walking in a maze you can only see so far ahead before you encounter a wall. It is impossible to see around it. Only upon approaching that intersection can you see what lies ahead.
Well with all these medical things and appointments I had to take care of I was certainly needing God to go before me and make the crooked places straight. To show me the way to go, the decisions to make, and help me remember the truly important things.
One day I was discouraged because I seemed to always be getting it wrong; at least I felt that way so I made a chart. I drew a line down the middle and wrote on one side, things I did right today, and on the other the things I did not. It was interesting because in my discouragement I thought I was getting most of it wrong. The chart however showed that. Yes, I got some things wrong, but I got just as many right. I was an ordinary person dealing with an extraordinary circumstance and getting through it with God’s help. I was not a failure nor a total success I was normal. And you know what? Normal is okay. I realized I did not have to be perfect because God had my back and I was learning to lean on Him for wisdom and support. In fact, once during a trying time a visiting nurse told me she did not always know what to do so she prayed and trusted God to help her. That was a real encouragement to me

That simple chart helped me realize I was neither a failure or a great success and that is okay.
Today’s tasks and responsibilities do not have to be perfect to be good. Today is better than perfect because it is always good when I am walking in lock step with my Savior. Forget perfection that is God’s territory.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 372 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
05/08/20
I'm so glad you were able to take over your husband's nursing needs. I would find this difficult because I hate blood. I can also be a perfectionist in certain areas of my life. I am glad you were able to change your perspective in that area.
Linda Lawrence 
05/08/20
You have described well the mental gymnastics I put myself through. Lord have mercy on all of us imperfect perfectionists.
Barbara Culler 
05/09/20
I trust your husband recovered!
Tammy Ortung 
05/11/20
I think on some level we all deal with perfectionism... Thank you for sharing. Caring for a loved one is very difficult, and we all tend to beat ourselves up for our shortcomings. Good practice to make a list...puts things in perspective.

There were some punctuation and formatting errors that distracted a little...
Dolores Stohler 
05/12/20
Thank you so much for writing this in a humble and compassionate way. I too was a caregiver for my husband until he passed away at the age of 92. None of us are prepared for this. You gave him love and expressed it well.
Marlene Custer 
05/13/20
You did a good job of presenting the struggle to be perfect. Keep sharing!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/14/20
Being a perfectionist is hard. We become over focused. I like the idea of a chart. It's a thought-provoking read.