{my graphics are free goodies for you}
Whenever someone starts talking about how it’s okay not to be perfect, I can watch the women in the room begin to squirm (myself included).
Yes, we desperately want more grace and freedom in our lives. But we also have this fear that if we let ourselves off the hook, everything will just go to pieces. We won’t do a good job anymore. Our parenting will be halfhearted. Our work will be shabby. Our house will get a visit from the health inspector. So let’s get this clear right up front: not being perfect doesn’t mean you don’t work hard and try to do well.
We’re clearly told, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Col. 3:23). We’re not to slack off, become lazy, or do less than what we can because of grace. Instead, God’s love and kindness become motivation for our hard work.
But we’re also not told, “Whatever you do, do it perfectly.” Working “with all your heart” simply means being intentional about what we do and doing it out of love. Pursuing excellence leads to joy and satisfaction. Pursuing perfection leads to burnout and frustration.
Excellence is simply doing what you can, with what you have, where you are, as you are.
Let’s take a deep breath, whisper a prayer, release our grip on perfection, embrace grace and live with love–which the Apostle called “the most excellent way.” That really is enough for one day…and one wild, beautiful lifetime.
XOXO,
Holley Gerth
****
Seeing your pictures of You’re Loved No Matter What is so encouraging! Photo taken by Lander.
Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
Giveaway and Optional Writing Prompt: For the next few weeks, the Wednesday posts are going to be about getting free from the pressure to be perfect. I’ll have an optional writing prompt for you about that topic. If you write about it, link up and include my new book You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect in your post somewhere, you’ll be entered to win a God’s Heart for You necklace {U.S. residents only}. Thanks to DaySpring for providing the necklaces! Congratulations to Tasha for winning last week! If you don’t have a blog, you can share today’s post on Facebook, leave a comment here saying you did and answer the prompt in your comment.
The prompt for today was: Where does perfectionism sneak in and how can you replace it with gratitude?
Next Wednesday’s prompt is: What does ‘excellence’ mean or look like to you?
Pretty please use this button in your blog post so others can easily join in with us {html code in right sidebar}. And when you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
{Click to tweet that you’re joining me here today!}
