DON’T TRIP ON THE PEBBLE

A few months ago, I was really frustrated with my writing. I was entering a contest, and I wanted to get everything just right. I wanted my chapter to be perfect, and anything short of that didn’t seem good enough. Then, I saw a box of crayons, and the Lord reminded me of a lesson I’d started to learn long ago.

When I was in 1st grade, I used to take my red crayon and draw a big red X across my workbook page if I had a single incorrect answer. It didn’t matter if there were 20 questions, and I got 19 out of 20 right. If I missed one answer, the whole page was wrong. I concentrated on where I’d fallen short instead of on where I’d succeeded. I wanted perfection.

It used to drive my teacher crazy, and it took a lot of scolding on her part, before I got it through my head: I didn’t need to throw out everything that was good because of one mistake.

I’ve since grown up and put away my crayons. But sometimes I still focus on the spot and forget to appreciate all that’s right, whether it’s in the beauty of a day or in my writing.

I think each of us can get so caught up in the step we missed or where we fell short that we stop climbing. We miss the mountaintop because we trip on a pebble. And too often we forget that we don’t run alone.

The Lord doesn’t expect us to get everything perfect, not in our lives or in our writing. But He has called us to keep on running, to keep on writing, and to keep our eyes on the finish line. Perseverance. Determination. Not perfection.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12: 1-2, NIV)

By Sherry Schindelar (sherryshindelar.com)

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Kathy+McKinsey
1 year ago

And what a relief that Jesus runs alongside us.:)

Sherry+Shindelar
1 year ago
Reply to  Patti+Shene

Thank you, Patti!

Sherry+Shindelar
1 year ago
Reply to  Dave

I agree. We want to make our writing the best that it can be, but if we delay until perfection, it’ll never happen.

Sherry+Shindelar
1 year ago
Reply to  Gwendolyn Gage

Excellent insights, Gwen! Thank goodness, God provided us with a perfect Savior. I like your analogy about God looking at our works like we look at our preschooler’s drawings)

Valerie Cullers
1 year ago

So love this!!!! I’m a recovering perfectionist also!

Roberta+Kautz
1 year ago

Such a good reminder! Thank you!

Patti+Shene
1 year ago

Sherry, I have read your story of the crayon and perfection before, but I enjoyed it just as much the second time. Ah, yes, that strive for perfection! There is only one who was ever perfect, and that is our Lord Jesus! Thank you for this reminder. Erma, thank you for hosting Sherry today. Blessings to you both!

Gwendolyn Gage
1 year ago

I believe God does require perfection (Matthew 5:48.) He knows we can’t ever attain that in our sinful state and was pointing out our need for a Savior. Someone to be perfect for us. 🙂

As for writing, what we consider good this year will look pathetic the next as we are always learning. When I feel like my work falls short of what I want it to be, I remind myself that God delights in our creativity as a parent delights in their child’s imperfect work of art. Instead of aiming to impress, we should aim to bring God glory per Col. 3:23.

Good post!

Dave
Dave
1 year ago

Ain’t never gonna be perfect.
So keep whittling.
But someday I’ve gotta say, “Good enough.”
And publish.

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