Striving for Perfection

Striving for Perfection

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

-Romans 3:23

Can I let you in on a little secret, okay maybe a big one?  Perfection is NOT possible.  We can try, try, and try some more, but we will all fall short.  That's right, even those of us that have perfect pinterest boards (who ever really uses the stuff on there anyway), and crazy ladies that write blogs, thinking they know enough to share about motherhood, and seem to think they have all the answers.  Ladies, there have been many times, I am like, yeah, here I am having another blow up with my 7 year old son, and I just wrote a blog about grace, seriously! What is wrong with me? I need to listen to my own encouragement!

Why do we put such expectations on ourselves?

We often compare ourselves to other moms or people in our lives.  We see them as more patient, kinder, gentler than ourselves. Why? We are always harder on ourselves than we are on others.  We strive to be perfect and have an enormous amount of guilt when we fall short.  Why do we put that pressure on our shoulders?  I want you all to know that I don't have it all together, I have issues, just like anyone else.

Let me tell you a few things about myself

Chocolate Skillet cake is my favorite :) This is the only recipe I've used from pinterest.....

Who needs anything besides chocolate anyways...

I yell at my kids, some days way too much!

I tend to let my 3rd child get by with way too much

I let him have pizza for breakfast yesterday

My kids are late for school most days of the week

My house is a mess right now

I haven't done laundry all week

I eat pretty healthy, but I will never completely give up chocolate

My van has a terrible smell in it and hasn't been cleaned out in 3 months

I only wash my hair once maybe twice a week

I let my kids watch movies just so I can have peace and quiet

Did I mention, I love chocolate?

My dear friends, I think its something we all need to admit it, we are not perfect, not one of us has it all together.  We are doing the best we know how, with the knowledge we have or were given.  The most important part of being a mother is that our children our loved, fed, cared for and safe.

We always will have things we can improve on, because we aren't perfect.  Just don't strive for it and put that pressure on yourself.  We all have strengths and weaknesses, and we will never be free of some sort of drama in our lives.  Be real, and don't be afraid to be yourselves.

There is always going to be those days. May it be a new situation,  another bad attitude, another sharp toy that we may step on, or one more night of just a few hours of sleep.  REMEMBER, YOU are a great Mom! Just remember to breathe, smile and know that we are all there with you! 

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your unconditional love for us.  Thank you for the fact that we don't need to be perfect, and that You love us no matter what happens in our day to day life.  Remind us Father that Your opinion of us is the one that we can lean on and the one that matters the most.   We love you and thank you for all the things you provide for us.  In your name we pray, AMEN