Don’t Wait Until You’re Perfect
Maybe this is what happens when you’re a year and a half into blogging every day, but lately I’ve been feeling like every sentence I publish is pathetic. Plagued with self-doubt, I’ve been laboring to be brave enough to write what’s on my heart and allow you to see it.
But last night I had a thought that made me laugh out loud.
Above my writing desk is a shelf, and on that shelf is this pinch pot that my son made for me years ago. I’m not a photographer, but I thought you’d want to see it:
I said, Lord, I feel like my blog posts are like this pinch pot. That’s when I laughed. Brown handle, black lid, pink-black-orange flowers, and a yellow base. This is the “beauty” my son presented to me. I made this for you, mom!
When I push back from the computer and re-read and edit my fresh blog posts every day, often the words I have typed on the screen seem like this clay “beauty”.
Ask my husband how many times I walk upstairs after writing, and he says, What have you been doing? I say, Writing tomorrow’s blog post. It’s probably stupid.
Pinch pot.
But now I am sober, as I hold my son’s work of art in my hands. I love this pinch pot. It’s still sitting on my desk because my little boy made it just for me, and I think it’s beautiful. I smile every time I look at it, not because it’s perfect or my favorite colors –but because he was thinking of me when he crafted it.
Oh yes, this is what mothers do. We proudly display our child’s creation and make no apologies for it. Watercolor pictures go on the fridge. Rock treasures are often piled on the kitchen window sill. Pipe cleaner flowers are lovingly placed in the crystal vase. I still have a cross that I display every Easter –that my daughter made out of tongue depressors, Styrofoam, and glued-on sequins.
It makes sense, then, that the greatest command in the Bible is not, “Bring fine works of art to your God.” It is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV) Love is what gets the highest appraisal from our Father in heaven.
And how does God respond when we offer Him our lopsided and only-a-mother-could-love service? James tells us, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6 NIV)
It is in my favor to say, I made this for you, Lord. It’s far from perfect, but I love You.
So I will continue to blog, as an expression of my love and service to the Lord. Sometimes I will write something outstanding that will capture the hearts of all who read it, but most of the time not. Yet I am convinced today that God wants to display my pinch-pot words. Maybe in His eyes they’re even beautiful? And maybe your eyes need to see that God readily uses the not-so-magnificent people to do work for Him.
What about you? Have you been holding out on offering your gifts and service to the Lord because you think they’re stupid or ugly or lacking? Please don’t wait for perfection. Bring them humbly as a gift of love to your God, and give Him the right to display them as He wishes.
Thanks Christy for this so encouraging I really needed to hear this.
Christy,
At least it’s clear your son was crafting a pot! My mom still has some creations of mine that defy description. After one vase flopped on the wheel I renamed it Ocean Coral. And that was in college.
Your words on perfection are helping me today as I compose the message for this Sabbath. I need to keep focused on loving the God who loves me and let Him worry about perfection. As I offer Him my praise He can make it useful in His service imperfect as it is. His definition of the concept is, I expect, a whole universe different from mine.
You crack me up! My pastor husband and I know how it feels to be imperfect people trying to communicate the word of God. I will never stop being amazed that he purposefully chooses to use us to present his message. I pray the Lord will help you craft a powerful sermon! Thanks for the note. 🙂
Oh, Christy. I so know what you’re talking about. I’ve a few of those pinch pots myself. I turn and announce, “Garbage” to no one in particular. That’s often when my husband will close my computer and make me a cup of tea. Sometimes it looks better the next day. And sometimes I just have to start over again.
I agree with the reader above, however, and look forward to your posts each day. The Lord is using them in ways you have no idea. I’d say you’re more of a Tiffany vase than you realize! 🙂
And what would we do without our husbands, I tell you!!! And what would I do without you? Your kind encouragement is a Godsend.
Christy,
I found your blog a few weeks ago and have been thoroughly enjoying all of your posts. I’m not usually one for words, unless I feel like they would make a significant contribution to the conversation – most of the time I don’t, so I keep quiet. Today, however, I feel it is significantly important to let you know that your posts impact me deeply and I very much enjoy each one. We all have, in spite of all that the the Lord has given us, a spirit of self-doubt living inside of us – just waiting for an opportune moment to rear it’s ugly head. It’s easy for me to say to you, that you should “punch-it-in-the-face” and keep going; but I know all to well that is not easy to actually employ that tactic. I am stopping now, to pray for you that He will keep reminding you as many times as it takes, that you are making a difference and that your words are cherished and appreciated. Have a blessed day.
Trixie
I wish I could hug you a thank you! Thanks for the sweet encouragement and the prayers -much needed right now. Yes, self-doubt raises a very ugly head, but God has been so present and is teaching me along the way. I’m thankful for the struggle recently, because I had some things I needed to learn. Thanks for sticking with me while I process life and my relationship with God through my blog. (You poor reader!!) Thanks for speaking up. I’d love to hear more from you!