Did you notice the imperfections in the beautiful flower in bloom? At first glance all I saw was how lovely the white blossom looked. But with closer inspection I could see how some parts of it didn’t appear fully formed. Yet there it was producing beauty for me to you enjoy.
As I think about this blossom, I can’t help me think of you and me. We are each imperfect. But many of us struggle with trying to get everything just right. And if we assume we can not do it right we would rather hide than put those imperfections on display. The striving to do all things and be all things to others enslaves us to their opinions.
When we see others it’s easy to quickly glance at their blooming garden and see only beauty. But when it comes to ourselves we hone in on what’s drooping, browning, or ill-formed. In doing so we fail to see how God uses perfectly imperfect people to display His grace and love to the world. There is freedom in being me. Not the me that I assume the world will accept. But the me who is incomplete, broken, whipped by the winds of life yet still rooted in Him blooming where He has planted me even though I have endured intense seasons of heat and drought. The me that can bloom even after been stripped bare by betrayal and pain. The me that can still showcase His beauty among the weeds of despair.
For he is the one who called you to freedom. Galatians 5:8b (NLT)
P. S. Wouldn’t you know I needed this reminder today. After hitting the publish button, I noticed I had incorrectly spelled freedom. And oh my did that ever send me running for cover in my attempt to pull the post. In my frantic hustling, I heard the gentle whisper of God saying put it back. It’s the perfect illustration of what He is trying to teach me. He knows I’m imperfect but He uses me anyway. So yes I know there is a spelling error in the top photo but it’s my illustrated sermon for today (smile). And to let you know that I do in fact know how to spell freedom I have added a revision of the photo.
Elizabeth West says
9 May, 2012 at 9:27 amFor sure. I think imperfection is a challenge to acceptance. How many close-minded people have a vision of perfection in their heads that doesn’t conform to the way things really are? In turn, this feeds intolerance and turns them away from people and ideas that would enrich their lives.
Elizabeth West recently posted..Star Wars Day and Other Nerd Holidays
Wanda says
9 May, 2012 at 12:50 pmSo very true Elizabeth. We miss true gifts simply because we are unable to look past the packaging.
JBR says
9 May, 2012 at 10:57 amAh Wanda you are so sweet! I too would of panic and pulled the picture. But, I am glad you let it be. As yes, Freedom is what it is all about in Him! Imperfections and all. Blessings dear one.
JBR recently posted..TRANSFORMATION
Wanda says
9 May, 2012 at 12:24 pmThanks JBR for that great dose of encouragement.
LaVonne says
9 May, 2012 at 11:49 amWanda, this is so blessing me right now. I am free to receive grace and mercy and goodness and love. I’m free to just be in whatever state I’m in. I spent most of the weekend preparing for a fire inspection, but I stopped in the middle of all the fixing up because the inspector really needed to see everything the way I really live to do his job right. We’ve become so focused on “fixing” things that sometimes we forget that God sees our very form and He is the fixer. I’m reminded of a verse that always uplifts me: Every creation is beautiful to God. – 1 Timothy 4:4
LaVonne recently posted..The Power Path
Wanda says
9 May, 2012 at 12:22 pmLaVonne, this makes me think of the time I busy fixing up in preparation for others visit. Not that one shouldn’t care but at times I loose focus on what really matters. You always share such insightful passages of scripture.
Christina says
9 May, 2012 at 12:03 pm“God uses perfectly imperfect people to display His grace and love to the world.” Yes! We have this treasure in simple jars of clay to share with the world. He does His best work with imperfect children. Thanks!
Christina recently posted..When the Flowers Bloom
Wanda says
9 May, 2012 at 12:20 pmThat He would choose to place the treasure in imperfect vessels of clay is utterly amazing. For it is the least likely place one thinks to look but after we discover it, it only brings more glory to Him.
Kim @ Stuff could.... says
10 May, 2012 at 3:56 pmImperfections is what we are made of! Great lesson
Kim @ Stuff could…. recently posted..My Daughter Recieves Her Masters Degree
Wanda says
11 May, 2012 at 5:30 amSo true Kim. Yet we spend so much time trying to keep up the illusion of perfection.
Denise says
11 May, 2012 at 3:54 amThis is such a great post Wanda! So many times in the past I tried to change and/or modify myself into what others wanted me to be, or to live up to other people’s expectations and standards. I need to stop and remember that God’s character goes into the (imperfect) creation of every person, and that I must have as much respect for myself as He has for me. Very blessed here today!
Blessings and grace,
Denise
Denise recently posted..Gift of Self
Wanda says
11 May, 2012 at 5:34 amOh thank you Denise. To Him be the glory. You see even after writing the words He still had more to show me about my struggle with perfection. Love that line about God’s character going into every imperfect creation.