Practice Makes Imperfect

Over the last few days I've kinda been learning some lessons...lessons about, well, life ultimately. Sometimes I find meaning in the simplest of things and that's where this story really begins...I was making a dessert to share with my family for a get together we had this past weekend and its one I've made many times before and in some ways it goes so much easier now than it used to, but in other areas it just was not working out the way I wanted it to. Somewhere during the process the phrase "Practice makes perfect" came up and struck a chord. It got me thinking...does practice ever really make perfect? The way I see it, we are humans, humans are imperfect beings, therefore no matter how much practicing we do, perfection isn't going to be the end result. This isn't a depressing thing, so please don't think that's the point I'm trying to make, what I'm trying to say is that there is so much freedom to be found when we realize that we strive for excellence rather than perfection. It's a part of the journey that I've always struggled with, when I set out to do something I want it to work out at that first attempt. I want it to be exactly how I picture it in my mind. Rarely is this the case...and (I am learning) that its okay. Over the weekend I was asking my cousin how he deals with trying new things when they don't work out and his answer ties right into all of this. He told me that it's all trial and error and every time you "error" you're that much closer to getting it right. It's something I will try to remember when something doesn't come out exactly the way I want it to the first time. :)


Not to "over-spiritualize" a fairly simple lesson but, somehow it always comes back to the beautiful grace of God. He never asks perfection of us, instead He asks for a pure heart. We don't ever run out of chances with Him. In fact, the way we really learn more about Him and how to have a more intimate relationship with Him is very much a "trial and error" kind of thing. We don't all spend time with Him the same way, what works for you may not work for me, we all communicate differently, but He doesn't love any one of us more than the other. More amazing than that is that he doesn't get so impatient with our attempts that He loves us any less. Amazing grace.


I just wanted to share with you what I've been learning these last few days. :) If you have any thoughts please feel free to share!