The Myth of Perfection

Before I got married I used to have theories about marriage and children. Then I got married and now I have no theories and four children! LOL ☺

Marriage and parenting, as with all relationships, have no simple formula. To be successful it's about lifestyle. You go into marriage and/or parenthood with a bag full of great, untried ideas, convinced you'll be the best parent or spouse even if it "kills" you.

Well I quickly, (and I mean quickly) realized that after the wedding comes the marriage, and then came me with the baby carriage! Today, a number of years and children later one truth in my bag of advice and ideas has stood the test of time.

2Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.

This verse encourages me so much! I am weak. I can nag about the weeds in the yard. I yell when I shouldn't. I cry when I should run to Jesus for strength. I don't make cookies or finger paint with my kids every week! Oh, and my kids did not read by the time they was 18 months, like the "my baby can read" child!

I can so easily identify each of my shortcomings. But Jesus whispers to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

YAY! You know what makes you an amazing mom (or dad), wife (or husband)? It's that you recognize your dire need for Jesus. I LOVE that! I am encouraged in that understanding! You don't have to know it all, do it all, or be all! Delight in that Jesus can be your strength, if you let Him. Trust me it's soooooooo much easier than striving to do it all in your own (weak) strength! ☺