PERFECTIONISM

When it comes to perfectionism there is no harsher critic of me than me. For as long as I can remember I have longed for everything in my life to be not simply “practically perfect in every way” as Mary Poppins allowed, but my preference would be, “without flaw.”
With Christmas just past and perfection in mind, I am reminded again of the times in childhood when I received new coloring books and crayons. The alluring beauty of the photos on the front covers helped me choose colors that were as close to perfection as possible to use for the first pages of pictures I would color. Once started, I would feel devastated to have ruined the fresh, clean pages with my childish marks of imperfection. Usually I garnered the courage to start afresh on another page but I was always more than simply aware of the ruined (in my opinion at least) pages of past efforts.
It would be nice to be able to say that with age I have moved on but more honest would be to say I have perhaps mellowed a fraction. With perseverance, eventually I did learn to color to my satisfaction and pleasure…mostly. I know (and always did know) I will never be a quilter based on my desire for those corners to come together perfectly (there’s that word again). Over the years I have found other projects to create that have given me the satisfaction of near perfection, counted cross-stitch being the closest. And thankfully the computer allows me to create cards that print wonderful pictures and fonts so my imperfections don’t have to be seen until I fold and/or sign the cards.
But, real life, like the pictures I colored in the books of my youth, ends up with many daily “pages” that are filled with marks that are less-than-perfection and there are disappointments that mar the memories, sometimes causing me to feel I don’t have what it takes to keep trying new pages because I know I will smudge the fresh beauty. However, this is real life, not a coloring book, so I will try again because I know that even with my imperfections, through the blood of Christ, God helps me make those daily moments and pages as fresh as they were when they were brand new…perfect…and He will help me as I choose to continue to walk daily with Him.
1 John 1:7 states: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
My longing fulfilled if I but remember:
Perfectionism: Without Flaw…God’s way
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 12-30-2009

EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT

Recently I received an e-mail asking I respond to the question, “What are you thankful for?” Based on the recommended scripture, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change," (James 1:17), it didn’t take me long to come up with many answers and I’d like to share some of my reasons for thankfulness at Daily Diamonds.
It is not just at this time of year, but so often during the year...almost each Sunday when my thoughts center around Christ's death, burial and resurrection in celebration and remembrance of His supper as we are commanded to do (Luke 22:17-20,I Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7) that I thank God that Jesus was willing to come to live on this earth. That kind of boggles my mind, that He would be willing to leave Heaven...what kind of love is that? I pray that I learn to love more like that but know I am far from beginning to fathom even the smallest inkling.
Following that my thought is often coupled with how thankful I am that because Jesus came to this earth and lived an obedient life to the point of death, was raised and is at the right hand of God, and I have chosen to follow Him as God's child, I have the privilege to pray in Jesus' name! Without Jesus as my Mediator, God would still have to see me as a sin-filled being, but now instead He sees me through the blood of Christ. (Romans 8:1-4)
I am also thankful for the stories and lessons left to us of Jesus' time on this earth… His very own words and answers to some of life's questions. I can go to the Bible at any time and read the messages presented that Jesus wants me to have.
I am thankful for the people who helped teach me about Him...first my family who instilled in me that the answer for life is/was God, because as a child I always knew He was and is. Hebrews 13:7-8 says, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, and forever.”
In summing up a few of my responsive thoughts, I am thankful that in an ever-changing world, the good and perfect gifts I was given at the beginning have been with me throughout my life and will continue to be with me right through to the end and on into glory!
What gifts I have been given! I am thankful!
© Marilyn Sue (Libby) Moore 12-17-2009