Just Perfect

Where does that pressure come from to be more, to do more, to be PERFECT? I think it is fear. Fear from not measuring up, fear from not being good enough, fear that we haven't done enough.

When I was a lot younger, I was sure that I was good at everything. However, as I grew older there were lots of folks that told me something very different. That high school art teacher that said I couldn't draw and should never even try. Or those college young men that thought it would be funny to bark as I passed their table. What about those TV commercials that are telling me I need this product or that product to have the perfect smile, less wrinkles, or the clothes to be just Perfect person?

All of these words, hurtful, hateful, and just down right silly can send us one way or the other. Either we will believe that God made us exactly like we are, or we will believe the lies that are thrown at us and strive to prove them wrong.

When we live our lives in fear it is exhausting. We fear not measuring up to someone else's standard so we do more. We fear we don't look like the ads on TV, so we lose weight, buy the newest fad, wear the latest and greatest make-up. We fear others will see our flaws so we build walls.

You know what God tells us?

      Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

To know that God is with me in this, to know that I don't have to be dismayed by the careless words that are flung my way is such wonderful and news. He will be my strength, He will help me, and He will hold me up are words of freedom.

 

You can trust His words as they are always faithful and true. Let Him take all your fears and be the wonderful person He created you to be!

 

 

Check out Holley's new book You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

 

 

 

Are They Gone?

Don't you just love small children and their honesty? Don't ask them a loaded question unless you want to hear the truth!

My daughter bought me a cream for DEFYING wrinkles for Christmas. It was more for the moisture and the lovely feel on my dry skin that I was using it.

One morning as I was getting ready for the day and my 5 year old granddaughter waltzed into the bathroom and asked what I was doing. I said I was putting on the cream that her mommy had given me to get rid of my wrinkles. "Oh", she said. I asked her if she would like some. "Yes". So I put a small dollop on each cheek. As she watched me rub  mine in she wanted to make sure she was doing it properly. "Like this Nana?" I told her "Perfect." As she finished she said, "Are my wrinkles gone?" I had to chuckle but told her yes she looked gorgeous! She smiled. I thought I would have a little fun. So I asked her, "Are my wrinkles gone?" [now my face and the Grand Canyon have some things in common.] As she looked at me she tilted her head to one side and her little face kind of puckered up and she said, "Well, it  might take a little while for it to work on you!"
I was able to start the day with a chuckle. How awesome is that.

I am sure that a few years ago that would have sent me into a tail spin of sorrow. Not only did my face have wrinkles, but a 5 year old had spotted them! However, as I am growing closer to Christ and realize He has made me just the way I am, wrinkles and all. He is changing me from the inside out. I am not so worried about the outside packaging as I am about the inside reality of me.

1 Peter 3:3-4

 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

 

As I read this verse the words that catch my eye are these, great worth in God’s sight. That is the kind of beauty I want, unfading and of great worth. It is God who is adding the "defying cream" to me. He is changing me from the inside out. I don't have to use creams or a mud pack, I just need to do the best I can with the outside while God is doing His best on the part that counts, the inside. We can stop trying to be "perfect", in my case at least , that is never going to take place here on earth. We can allow God to make us of "great worth in His sight.

Check out Holley's New book.