When you don’t have it all together
The event planner sat on the edge of the chair, craned her neck and scanned the crowd – again. As her eyes roved across the room, she mentally checked her list and counted heads to make sure there was enough food – again. Good grief, I started to feel nervous. Then she made excuses for things that weren’t even wrong, so I leaned over and whispered, “Listen, I don’t have it all together.” No one does.
The look on her face said it all, “Yeah, right. You’re sitting there all calm and I’m about to explode.” Maybe I look like I have it all together, but ….
Here’s the truth
If you get close enough, you’ll know my flaws. I suppose that’s the danger of letting others near. I fixed this particular faux pas before it was obvious, but she needed to know the truth. That morning before the women’s conference, I loaded my business cards, books and thumb drive. I changed shirts twice and shoes once. I practiced my talk start to finish while I showered, put on make-up and fixed my hair. But about the time I drove past the city limits I realized – I forgot to wear deodorant.
She busted out laughing. “Really! You?” Fortunately, there’s a Wal Mart Supercenter on every corner so I easily concealed my blunder. And, I bought an extra stash to keep in my car. You know, just in case it happens again…
My little Secret
I don’t know about you, but I can look all put together on the outside and be a stinking mess on the inside. We are so self-conscious because we are often consumed with self. We can choose to fix our eyes on our inadequacies or trust the One who is not finished with us yet.
God isn’t looking for flawless; He is flawless #NotPerfect Click To TweetWouldn’t it be nice if we quit worrying about our flaws?
I notice details, which is a curse and a blessing. What I noticed about the gorgeous guest on Good Morning America was not the sparkle in her eyes while she discussed her new best-selling book and it wasn’t her trim, athletic figure in a stylish pencil skirt with black pumps. Nope, what I noticed was her sock line. And it changed my life. It gave me permission to be less than perfect. Constant striving for perfection is exhausting, but embracing flawed is freeing.
If that successful author and business woman can go on national TV with a sock line, then you and I can go out with a wrinkle or a pimple. But seriously, it’s not a good idea to go out without deodorant.
Self-consciousness
What if we were God-conscious instead of self-absorbed?
You know what else? You can serve the Lord and minister to the church body even if you don’t have it all together. Wear your sock line with pride, but please don’t forget your Secret…
“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)
When it comes to keeping our focus on God , all of us could use a little Adderal! Excellent reminder to see Him in the mirror and not so much ourselves.
Ain’t that the truth!
I actually looked down for my sock line when I read this post. 🙂 Yes, let’s keep our focus on God and not the sock lines. 🙂
Sock lines are just a fact of life
well, I very seldom have “It all together”. But I am so thankful that God is willing to take me as I am, all my flaws (sock lines), messes, stinkiness and ugliness and call me His. And I am so grateful that that is all He wants from me – – is just to be His!!!!