You Are Not Perfect

Dear Children,

I'm about to say something to you that many parents will probably gasp at and think is a horrible thing to say.  I'm going to say it anyway though, because you need to know it and you need to understand.  You are not perfect.  You are many things - you are loved, you are smart, you are funny, you are wonderfully made - but you are not perfect.  You are not perfect because you were made by two very imperfect people.  You are not perfect because it's impossible to live in this world, full of sin, and be perfect.  Only one person was ever perfect and considering you weren't born of a virgin and you aren't walking on water anytime soon - you aren't Him.

Let me explain to you why I feel you need to know that I don't think you are perfect.  Too many times in life, this cute little picture is painted of the "perfect parent" loving their "perfect children" and everything is just sunshine and rainbows.  While I certainly have my moments that I look at you and can't help but feel you are the most perfect thing I've ever laid my eyes on, the alarm goes off and you wake up all cranky telling me how mean I am for making you where pants when it's 50 degrees outside.  While I love you immensely, I don't look at you as perfect, because you aren't.  Because none of us are.  Trying to convince you that you are would be a disservice. 

You, sweet children of mine, are flawed.  You will make more mistakes in life than you'll ever be able to count.  You'll say the wrong thing and do the wrong thing.  You'll have moments when you are filled with anger and resentment.  You'll make bad decisions and have to suffer the consequences.  There may even be times that I'm so upset with you, I won't know exactly what to do.  I'll love you through it all though.  Through every imperfect moment of your entire lives, I will love you. 

Now I'm going to tell you another thing that parents probably aren't really suppose to say to their children.  *I* am not perfect.  I am flawed beyond measure.  I've made more mistakes in my life than I can count.  As your parent, I will say the wrong things and do the wrong things.  I'll have moments when I am filled with anger and resentment.  I'll make bad decisions and have to suffer the consequences.  There will be times that you're very upset with me and you'll want to runaway from home and swear that you'll never talk to me again.  I'll love you through it all though.  Through every imperfect moment of my entire life, I will love you always. 

You are not perfect, because I am not perfect.  Your Daddy is not perfect.  Your friends, your mentors, your teachers and everyone else you encounter are not perfect.  Nor should you ever feel the need to try to be "perfect" to any of them.  Know Jesus, do your best, be your best, strive for excellence, love others, be kind, don't give up - but don't try to be perfect.  You'll exhaust yourself trying to be perfect.  If you live everyday trying to be a better person than you were yesterday though, you're doing alright, kid.  You are not perfect, but you are LOVED.