No Such Thing as Perfect People...

So yesterday, I was lying in bed reading The Relief of Imperfection, trying to figure out a potential Sunday school lesson for the women at the shelter. I love how God works because the chapters I was reading, was a great reminder to myself. I AM NOT PERFECT! Yes, you read it right. I'm not nor will I ever be.  Joan, the author of the book says this "Perfection on this earth is not possible."

I've read this book twice now, and I still find myself trying to be "Little Miss Perfect." I know that I can't be. For the longest time, mostly through high school,  I thought I had to do every little thing right. I couldn't mess up, and if I ever did, nobody could know about it. I now know that it is okay to mess up, and it is okay to admit it, but sometimes I still find myself not wanting to admit the "Oops." 

I continued reading, still struggling to find something that I would like for the ladies to know. And I made it to Chapter Two: Doesn't God want Me to be Perfect? I had an "AH-HA" moment and said "Yes, but He knows I can never be perfect." As I continued my answer, I understood, yet again because I have read this book twice now that I am still trying to be perfect and that I need to stop! This is the second book that has given me conviction....the first is the Bible!  

Being a summer missionary, I have found myself wanting to conceal my mistakes in the past, but through talking with my great teammates, I have discovered, that a) you feel better once you confess like the Bible tells you to in James, b) you can connect in a stronger way and c) it can open doors for healing to arrive and for your ministry to further improve. 

I discovered what I want to teach the women only a few pages away, Joan shares in the book about God using people who are not perfect:

"Abraham lied about his relationship with wife Sarai (Genesis 12:10-20)...David committed adultery and killed to cover his tracks (2nd Samuel 11:3-7). Jacob deceived his father and played favorites with his sons (Genesis 37:2-3). Sarah shamed and ridiculed her employee Hagar (Genesis 16:6). Paul and John Mark had a public ministry split (Acts 15:36-40) Peter impetuously cut off a soldier's ear in defense of his friend Jesus and then denied even knowing Him (John 18:10,26) James and John jockeyed for higher status, disregarding the others on Jesus' team (Mark 10:35-41)

This was very encouraging to me because sometimes I don't feel worthy of the work I am able to do in Oklahoma. Sometimes, I feel like there is a better person that can do this than me, but I am here for a reason, with all of my imperfections. It is such a relief and a freedom to know that I do not have to be perfect to love Jesus! And I want these women to know that too. 

Thanks for reading! Sorry it was really long, but this is what I have been doing the past few days in Oklahoma. Realizing that it is okay that I make mistakes and realizing that others are going to make mistakes too. 

Prayer request and then you can close out the link.

• We have had several new arrivals at the shelter and that they can adjust to the rules of the shelter.
• My team and I as we all prepare Sunday school lessons
• The Sunday school teacher we are replacing for a while, Linda, that God may reveal to her what she needs to teach in the women's Sunday school class

amgfinding_freedom