{Perfection}

After writing my last post from the heart, I realized how much I like connecting with readers through personal stories and thoughts.  I've decided that I'm going to share from my heart more often, as well as sharing random photos I take that speak to me.  While considering what my next post from the heart would be, I started thinking about perfection.  Why is it that we as women are on a constant quest for perfection?  It starts at a young age.  I see it every day in the faces of the young girls I teach.  

They try to wear perfect outfits, hang out with the perfect people, and date the perfect guys.  But when I look into their eyes, I see something else: disappointment.  They--like their mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and aunts--can't attain perfection.  

The truth is no one can.  I know that first hand.  There is never a moment that I can boast my entire house is clean, I can't remember important dates to save my life, and my nose is a little bit crooked.  Just a few of my own imperfections.  But I like to think of The Nester's motto for decorating: "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."  

The same is true about all women, young and old alike.  We are beautiful despite our imperfections and, in odd moments of irony, because of them.  While there will always be those who will focus on our flaws and those who may even go as far as unnecessarily pointing them out, one thing is certain: God loves us just as we are.  

There is no outfit we can wear, perfect prayer we can say, certain number of church services we can attend, or amount of people we can clothe or feed that can make Him love us any more.  Likewise there is no shameful act we can commit that would make Him love us any less.  This is the astounding heavenly beauty of His mercy and grace.  All He asks for in return is obedience.  Not an obedience out of habit or because it is expected.  An obedience that comes from the love we have for Him.  And that in His eyes is perfection.