Perfect. NOT!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, 

but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Phil. 3:12

Long ago, I was a criminal prosecutor. People hear that and often ask if it was exciting. I wish I could say it was, but a job is a job is a job. Criminal prosecution is not like Matlock. The truth is prosecutors pursue a number of cases at the same time. Court rules wouldn't allow Matlock's grand displays (that would have made it easier though). Rarely -- virtually never -- did the last second smoking gun materialize. Nope, Matlock is not real life.

Perfection is not real life either. Jesus said we will face troubles in this world. He didn't say the undeserving will face trouble. He didn't say there are a special few who get to go through life unscathed. Every one of us faces trouble. None of us is perfect.

Why do I bring this up?

Too often, I have encountered people who say, "If I had.... my life would be perfect." 


More than once someone has said she wishes for a husband like mine -- one who cooks, helps with homework, knows how to sort and wash laundry. But here's the thing... You'll never hear from me what my husband does to drive me crazy! He's not perfect (I love you, Treds, and hope you don't mind me sharing this...). You'll never hear his mistakes or his "character flaws" from me. I married ALL of him -- the wonderful parts and the not-quite-perfect parts. I CHOOSE to focus on the good parts.

My kids are not perfect either. Inherently, they are kids with selfish desires, anger issues, lazy traits. Don't get me wrong. I am blessed with GREAT kids! I am incredibly proud of what God is doing in their young lives. My heart bursts with pride when I see Nathan minister through music or when someone tells me about Ben's quiet, encouraging ways or Ellie's nurturing soul. This is God's design for my kids. He has a plan for them. I CHOOSE to pray for that plan, every single day. From sun-up to sun-down, my role as their mom is to encourage, instruct, teach, rebuke, or whatever it takes to help them get there. Ephesians 6:4 says, "[Parents], do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." 

Kids become who they are meant to be when God is the center of their lives. See, God's perfect plan for my imperfect family is to train and instruct the kids in God's ways. Beyond that, all I can do is trust that God will be the center. I pray that they will become rooted in His love, His way, His plan for them. Time will tell if that's what they choose. 

Along the way, though, I make mistakes. Don't believe me? Then read through some of the posts on this blog... I'm constantly learning! Most often, from my mistakes. The apostle Paul understood this. He understood that outside of Jesus, there is no perfection. We aren't perfect people. Only Jesus is perfect. Paul understood that dying to his selfish thoughts every moment of every day meant putting Jesus there instead. I can almost hear him saying, "I am really ticked off that I'm here in this prison when I've done nothing to deserve it. Jesus, take that feeling from me. Fill me with your way of doing this. Let me find peace, contentment, and opportunity to share your love even in this horrible moment." 

Focusing on my husband's flaws -- or highlighting those among friends -- is that unconditional love? Is that the way Jesus loves him? Screaming at my kids -- throwing in the towel and giving up -- is that what Jesus did? No. Jesus loves at all times. Jesus forgives at all times. Jesus lived to teach, encourage, and instruct us in the love of God. He never quit -- not even on the cross when he died for my sins.

Perfection. No. Daily walking in the love of Jesus. Constantly asking for forgiveness when I blow it. Choosing to focus on those things which are good and pure when part of me wants to scream about the unfairness of life. Yes.  ...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.