Even though it may seem counter-intuitive, I am glad I am imperfect and that I am surrounded by imperfect people.
Why would I be glad about imperfections? Doesn’t everyone secretly wish their spouse had a couple less imperfections; their parents had been slightly more perfect at parenting; or even that their children, friends and neighbors were a little bit more… perfect?
Of course everyone thinks that. I think that too. On the surface it seems that imperfections lead to nothing beneficial–hurt feelings, awkward situations, heated arguments, and sometimes even abuse.
So remind me again why I am glad to be surrounded by imperfect people?
When I got married both my husband’s imperfections, as well as my own, became like high beams perpetually shining straight into my eyes. It seemed I couldn’t get past them. The imperfections streamed into every part of my life. It was miserable and yet at the same time, I began to realize these imperfections were the very things that brought me closer to God.
I am an imperfect person and at times can’t handle the stress of life, so I go to God. My imperfect husband and imperfect me have an argument that leaves me emotionally empty, so I go to God. My imperfect, but sweet child, has tantrums over and over that strip me of my strength, so I go to God. My imperfect family make choices that affect me or hurt my feelings, so I go to God. The imperfect acquaintances or friends around me say an off-handed comment that offends me, so I go to God.
So in the end, do we really want everyone around us to be perfect if it is precisely their imperfections that bring us to God?
You see, if the world was full of perfect people, then there wouldn’t be things that brought us to God. And what a sad predicament that would be. So in reality, all these imperfect people are blessings, because they bring us to God. And in my life, it is when I go to God that I become more of the person I hope to become.
“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at His feet.”- Gandhi
So lets be kind to one another in our imperfect state and then most importantly, go to God.
How have you learned to embrace your own imperfections? How have you learned from your own or others imperfections? Have you grown closer to God as you have dealt with imperfections? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
A Pendulum World 
This is beautiful! If only everyone turned to God. Even I often turn to other things first before turning to God, although I know he’s right there waiting, beckoning me into his loving arms. What a precious reminder of who we need to rely on and why its ok, and even good, that we are not perfect. Love this.
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Thank you so much! And I am just like you. Many times I turn to other things, before I end up turning to God. Even though the whole time I knew that with God was where the answers and peace were. I’m so glad you could relate to this! Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂
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I can remember my first year of marriage and how hard it is to embrace each other’s imperfections. So glad that my husband and I have gotten over that hurdle. Now I’m mentoring someone who is getting married in January, and it is so funny to listen to the things that she’s going through at the moment with her fiancé. The conflicts over little things. And these are the things we pray about during our meetings. The imperfections. They definitely drive us to God!
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Can I just say that I think it is awesome that you are mentoring someone who is getting married soon? I can only imagine you are such a great support to her. And how wonderful that you both go to God concerning conflicts and imperfections. It is amazing how marriage is a journey of learning to accept people as they are, and love them still. Thank you for adding your perspective it definitely added to my own understanding 🙂
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I am still learning to embrace mine and other’s imperfections. I look at it as much as someone has to give we each have a great burden to carry and we need God and others to help us and just love us. I think as a wife and mother I often wonder if because of my imperfections and weaknesses if I am good enough.
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I can totally see where you are coming from, Rachel. I often feel like my imperfections drag me down. I can get so discouraged as I see the effects of my imperfections on my husband and son. But in the end, I often only feel better once I have turned to God. Then I begin to realize that we all have trials, and that with God on our side, we are all good enough. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. They resonated with me. 🙂
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“I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I hold onto these verses in 1 Corinthians 12. I am glad for my weaknesses because I know through Him I can do anything. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for sharing those verses that mean so much to you. It is amazing how much power scripture can have on our souls–to comfort and console us. I couldn’t agree with what you said more–we can do anything or overcome any weakness through Christ. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and these words that are dear to your heart! 🙂
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What a lovely reminder! Thanks for sharing this 🙂
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Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Writing it was a good reminder for me. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
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I’ve found that people like you better when you show your vulnerabilities. ❤ BLOGMA LOVE
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Oh thank you! And thank you for stopping by! 🙂
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