Perfectly Imperfect

I am fully, completely and totally aware of one thing that I am not. Just ask my eldest grandchild, as well as my grown children. This Grammy/Mom is not anywhere near perfect. She makes mistakes. The flaws that my five-year-old grandson picks up on and reminds me of are somewhat comical. Ga’s Ga, you turned at the wrong street. GaGa, better let me fetch your racecar cause you are too slow getting up from the floor. GaGa, that’s not how Mommy fixes my yogurt. GaGa, Daddy gives me OOT’s (dessert) for lunch, too. Etc., etc., etc.,. My children’s reminders are not so comical but, none the less, accurate.

The significant issue is not my many mistakes but rather if my grandchildren, children and I, myself, learn from them. A pie-in-the-sky goal is for me to stop making mistakes. I’m human!! My down to earth hope is that my mistakes lead my family not to misstep in the same manner as I. For you see, I’m of the conviction that my mistakes, not my successes, can be my loved ones’ greatest lesson tool.

Somehow the present-day world seems under the delusion that humans are perfect and not that this crown rests on God alone. Society falsely believes our mistakes are to be ignored or, at least, covered up. Our planet teaches that one should never believe, admit or proclaim to be anything but perfect. This is the Twenty-First Century’s mantra for success, but should it be?

How can family be there for each other, when need is greatest, if mistakes are to be hidden? Children of God cannot love unconditionally if the condition under which they love is perfection. Whether we admit it or not, each and every human being is imperfect. Simply spoken, we are all sinners making mistakes.

In my heart, I desire my successes to inspire my family. In my soul, I long for my mistakes to be the perspiration my family sheds to learn from me. May they labor not to fall prey to my downfalls. Additionally, I yearn for them to cling to the truth that God forgives all mistakes, and family is called to love and grow through each and every one.

To the world, successes define us; but to God mistakes grow us, mature us and refine us. May we all take time to ponder if possibly one of the greatest successes we can own is to own up to our mistakes and work on correcting them as an example for those God most calls us to guide — our grandchildren and children.