“What makes life on this frightful sod so exquisite is God’s merciful propensity to perform divine tasks amid deeply flawed people.”
~Beth Moore, on her Blog The LPM Blog
Do I have ‘it’ altogether? Is my life ‘perfect’? Am I ‘perfect’? I have to answer all the questions with a NO!
I could just stop right here and leave you with a verse from my NT ‘hero’ Paul…
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.†Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.†~ 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV)
How many times have I crumpled under the pressure of ‘getting it right’? How many times did I want to throw in the towel? Too many times to count on one hand—believe me.
Only through God’s infinite mercy, grace and daily prayer is our marriage what it is today. Is it ‘perfect’? By no means—we are human. But we are committed to each other and do our best to work through things. BTW – we are celebrating our 24th anniversary on Sunday…
If my life were ‘perfect’ I would be living closer to my mom…If I had it all together, I wouldn’t get up-set with our son because He walked out of his job…
As Beth put it – we are all deeply flawed; but though God’s mercy and grace we can be an encouragement to each other as we share our burdens and in our sufferings. Let us together draw close to the cross and let His power be evident to all…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. I know that I am deeply flawed. I want to thank You this morning that Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in my weakness. May the power of Your son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ rest upon me till the end of my days. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.
Blessings on your day and as always…
Please visit my dear friend Laurel at Laurel Wreath to read her take on this week’s IOW quote, and the thoughts of other Christian women Bloggers as they are sharing their own thoughts…
I am so thankful He is merciful in my flawedness. Thank you for sharing. Blessings on your day!
“we are all deeply flawed; but though God’s mercy and grace we can be an encouragement to each other as we share our burdens and in our sufferings. Let us together draw close to the cross and let His power be evident to all…”
I’ve learned through my brokenness and God’s spiritual magnifying glass on my life helps me better understand others. It builds my compassion level to a place where God’s voice, hands, and love are funneled through me. What a glorious place!
As the years progress in my walk, brokenness is not something I ask for, but during the process its welcoming experience — a time of being perfected in Christ!
Another wonderful thought you share with us.
In jesus, we can boast our weakness,then the Lord make us strong.
Wish you have a good time and wonderful memery on your 24th anniversary.
Bless you sweet friend, thanks for another great post.
It is so good for less mature CHristians to hear that those further on their walk are still flawed. So often it feels like those father along in their walk do have it all together and sometimes that can be intimidating. Thank you for being honest and showing the real you–all of you, flaws and everything.
Jenny
This is beautiful, you know this week’s In Other Words, was something God planted and knew I need to read about due to things I am struggling with. Praise God I don’t have the pressure of being perfect, I can just say “Lord I am struggling with _____, can you help me.”
Amen. Beautiful post.
I learned the lesson that God can and will use my flaws the hard way! I am so thankful that He didn’t expect me to be perfect!
Amen to that….I am so grateful that I serve a God that does not give up on me. I have blown it several times just today. It is a daily surrender. (sometimes hourly) Thank you for reminding me of this wonderful truth. Smiles going out to ya.
Thank you for sharing from you heart and the wonderful post. I liked the scripture you used this week and what a wonderful reminder that even though flawed the Lord is always with us.
In his endless love,
Angel ( Angel Mama Pearls of Wisdom)
That was beautiful! Thank you for sharing, I learned alot this morning.
Love in Christ,
~Candi (Homekeeper at Heart)
Hey Iris! Thanks for your thoughts!
One of your last statements hit me…”draw close to the cross and let His power be evident to all…” I have been singing this song by Caedmon’s Call for a few days called Draw Me Nearer…it’s fabulous and it reminds me to draw near to the cross and to Him. Thanks again for sharing!
Really great post….and topic! I love that quote. It shows so clearly the mission and character of God, that He would hand pick those rough, uneducated fishermen, or that Christian persecuting Pharisee to change the world and to write much of the New Testament. He does the unexpected and uses the least likely! =)
It’s so nice to hear from other Christian women that it’s okay to admit we’re not perfect. Thank you for being so open in your sharing.
Great post… isn’t it a blessing to NOT have to be perfect? Thank God… He is perfect for us.
Thank you Jesus, that although you are working in us to make us perfect and complete, perfection is not a prerequisite to being your child!!! Wonderful post, Sister!! Have a blessed day!
If it was not for my flaws, then Christ would have died in vain, Gal 2:21
Let’s me off the hook of perfection!!! not that I’m not atleast trying…smile
Blessings
Great post Iris, I am all too aware of my flaws and it makes me all the more greatful for God’s mercy.
For “…he who has been forgiven little loves little” Luke 7:47b If we feel we are ‘good’ people then we don’t feel we need Jesus – and who can really love without Jesus? It is good to be aware of our failings and many sins because it make us more grateful to our merciful loving God. He has washed us clean even though we didn’t deserve it because of His great and might love.
Hugs.
lol should be ‘grateful’ not ‘greatful’…but you’ll forgive a little spelling error in a poor sinner like me won’t you? 😉
That was such a great quote and so appropriate for how I am feeling…..it’s funny how God times these things. Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on 24 years of marriage…..that is a huge accomplishment in this day and age!
Blessings
I love the Scripture you chose…
Blessings on you today!!
I will be married 25 years this summer and all I can say about this post is…
AMEN!!!
I didn’t get to do this one today, but I wanted to see your writing Iris. I feel just the same. I sometimes feel as though I’ve failed in every possible way at everything I’ve ever done. And yet – the Lord always forgives and always gives me a second chance. Were it not for His grace in my life I just cannot imagine where I would be.
You always bless me.
Only one thorn? I’ve got a few!! This is such a great reminder, Iris. Thanks!
Iris,
Just beautiful. Flawed in so many ways. I must remember to see everyone around me in that broken condition. Forgiveness comes easy when you remember how flawed we all are.
Lovely, Lynn
oh yes- I am one flawed chick! this was a beautiful post!
Happy Anniversary!! 🙂
I am in some beautifully flawed company with all of you who participate in these weekly writing exercises. And happily so.