Progress not Perfection
Progress not perfection did not resonate nor get me in the feels the first time I read those words. In fact, they rather annoyed me. https://www.danielplan.com/progress-not-perfection/
I think I was on about the hundredth get healthy plan with the mindset - this one is it - only to crash and burn once again. My focus was too much on get it perfect. Once perfect didn't happen, I quit!
According to baseball-reference.com, legend, Babe Ruth, had a career batting average of .3421. That means he missed 65.79 out of 100 pitches and the man is famous. If the Great Bambino was a superstar in his time for missing more than he hit, then why, oh why do we go through life setting lofty expectations that we will never realize.
I need to get healthier
I need to be more organized
I need to read my Bible/pray more
I need to get to bed earlier
I need to _________________
Next year my garden will look better
Tomorrow I’m not going to eat any sugar
Next month I’m going to manage my finances better
Next week I’m going to spend a 15 minutes with God each day
Tomorrow, next week, month, year _________________
~ Yadi Yadi Yada ~
All of the
- hoping
- wishing
- praying
- finger-crossing
- I'll get it right this time
makes you want to pull your hair out!
The pressure of day after day after day of setting unrealistic goals, expectations, hopes, dreams of doing better, being better, living better is not better.
And sweet, battle weary, friends, this is not what God wants for us ~ read and reread this treasure found in Psalm 119.
To all perfection I see a limit;
but Your commands are boundless.
Psalm 119:96
Lay it down, my friend, lay it down!!!
Stop striving for what can never be achieved here on earth. An anonymous author who penned God's word in Psalm 119 clearly tells us the only perfect here on earth is God's Holy Word.
I don't know about you, but I just can't anymore. I can't keep pushing for something that doesn't exist. I can't keep looking for joy in my ideal. I can't keep playing over and over and over in my mind how to orchestrate situations so all will be good.
I'm exhausted ~
Perfection is a disease where we want to control our outcomes to what we think will bring about the best. Guess what? We don't have a clue. Why? Because quite frankly, it's above our pay grade.
Another issue with trying to manipulate these ideal scenarios is the fear that if I don't do it, it'll fail. Excuse me?!?! When did I ever get to the point where I trusted so much in my intellect that I've forgotten my Father? Very sobering ~
There is so much joy that I'm missing because I get so caught up in my version of perfect. I fail to see how God is trying to bless me.
I become so wrapped up in formulating a "no fail" plan where all is perfect and everyone is happy, that I totally miss God's beautiful gifts right in front of me.
Surrender your imperfect perfect for God's perfect perfect and come to the Father, just as you are ~
Sit with the beautiful, life giving words of this hymn
I'm welcomed, with open arms, praise God, just as I am
Psalm 119:96 TPT
I’ve learned that there is nothing perfect in this imperfect world except your words, for they bring such fantastic freedom into my life!
Rest in His perfection ~
Another amazing blog! Thanks for sharing truth sister!
Thanks for your prayers!
I have felt all of these feels! I truly believe it’s a device from the enemy to keep our focus on our lists, to-do’s, our imperfections, expectations, etc, etc and off of God.
I’ve discovered His peace in giving Him my day and allowing Him to guide my steps. What I accomplish, He and I accomplish it together on His time. It takes the control off of my mindset and freely gives Him control.
Do I still struggle from time to time? Absolutely! And when I do, it’s a tear-filled messy day. BUT, He always seems to get me back on the right track. Great post!!!❤️
Expecting rather than expectations!
This was so good, and I love the verse that you shared from Psalm 119, such encouragement! I needed to read this today, especially this statement, “Once perfect didn’t happen, I quit!” This is me, too often! Thank you for sharing.
God led me to that verse! Thank you for reading!
I’ve learned that life’s to short. so let God be in control and enjoy the ride. he knows what He’s doing.
Amen!