Perfectly Loved♥

I have had this Dayspring mug for about a month now and I absolutely love it. "She didn't have to be perfect, because she was perfectly loved. 1 John 4:8" (1 John 4:8 actually reads 'Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.' in case anyone looks it up and was confused!)

Confession: I am a perfectionist.

Be it the way I look, my grades back in high school, my home or being a mommy, I strive for perfection in nearly everything. (Remember my whole Stepford wife obsession?) The trouble with perfection is that it's unattainable. In my head, I know this, but convincing the rest of me is not easy! Let's face it, we are only human- and being human means being flawed. We will never always be perfect at everything we do and trying to be will only exhaust us, physically and mentally. It takes energy away from the things we are good at and should be focusing on, and makes us feel like we will never be good enough. What a horrible feeling!

"She didn't need to be perfect, because she was perfectly loved." What a great message and powerful reminder. Despite our flaws, we are loved. God doesn't care if we have a little extra weight or don't dress like a supermodel. He doesn't care that you made that B, or struggled through that Chemistry class. He doesn't care if there is a little dust here and there, or if you overcooked supper just a bit. He doesn't care if we don't always know the right things to do or say. He loves us anyway, without exception. In His eyes, we are perfect because we are just the way He created us to be.

So rather than striving for perfection, why can't we strive to see ourselves (and others) just as He sees us? To love one another instead of judging critically and tearing each other down? To remember, that we may not be perfect, but we ARE loved.

'Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.'- 1 John 4:8