Quote of Encouragement

"If I cannot give my children a perfect mother I can at least give them more of the one they've got---and make that one more loving. I will be available. I will take time to listen, time to play, time to be home when they arrive from school, time to counsel and encourage."
--Ruth Bell Graham

Being a perfectionist is one of the things I like least about myself! I am always my worst critic,(as my dear hubby always says!), and I never think anything is good enough. I am also a deep thinker so I am constantly analyzing everything I say and do and it never measures up. The Lord is working on my heart and the thoughts I have about myself to help me realize I am made in his image. The verse I came across today is found in John 15:16. It says "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command to love one another."
Wow! God did not say that our fruit had to be perfect, it just has to be loving and reflective of Him. God did not choose perfect people, or the perfect parent, or the perfect friend to do His work. He chose ordinary, imperfect people to bear His fruit, like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and self-control. I definitely need to work on my expectations and concentrate more on the fruit I bear towards everyone in my life.
I don't have to show my girls that everything has to be perfect. I really pray that they don't feel that. They need to be able to be vulnerable and allowed to make mistakes and know they are loved no matter what they do. I hope that they will always have the freedom to come to me in whatever stage of life they are in and feel acceptance and love. I hope I will be able to show them a fraction of the love Christ has for us!