Smiling Here
I saw myself so stupid...But even so, you love me!
Psalm 73:22-23, TLB
"Carefully, I made out the grocery list so I wouldn't forget anything. Walking the aisles, I checked off each item as I put it in the grocery basket. When I came to the soft drink area, I consulted my list for the brand my family wanted. I reached for the appropriate 24-pack and loaded it in the cart. After reviewing the list, I smiled with a sense of completion. Then I checked out and drove home to put it all away.
As we were emptying the bags I heard a grown.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"You got caffeine-free regular soda instead of caffeine-free diet soda.
How could you do that? Couldn't you tell the difference?"
Immediately I felt the shame. I tried hard to please everyone by getting all the correct items. How could I have failed?
Then, to my amazement, I heard these words come from my mouth: "Well, I guess I made a mistake."
My immediate personal thoughts? I goofed. No big deal! It doesn't make me less valuable. Surprised by my verbal response and new self-chatter, I realized the liberating truth: I was finally escaping the tyranny of my striving-too-hard-to-make-it-all-right mindset, and was learning to live with my humanness and imperfection. I couldn't help smiling. Still can't. And it's definitely a relief!
Make it Personal: Tell a good friend about a recent blunder you made and chuckle about it together."
Webb, Joan C. (2009) "It's A Wonderful Imperfect Life: Daily Encouragement for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make it Just Right. Gospel Light Worldwide, Ventura, CA
I saw myself so stupid...But even so, you love me!
Psalm 73:22-23, TLB
"Carefully, I made out the grocery list so I wouldn't forget anything. Walking the aisles, I checked off each item as I put it in the grocery basket. When I came to the soft drink area, I consulted my list for the brand my family wanted. I reached for the appropriate 24-pack and loaded it in the cart. After reviewing the list, I smiled with a sense of completion. Then I checked out and drove home to put it all away.
As we were emptying the bags I heard a grown.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"You got caffeine-free regular soda instead of caffeine-free diet soda.
How could you do that? Couldn't you tell the difference?"
Immediately I felt the shame. I tried hard to please everyone by getting all the correct items. How could I have failed?
Then, to my amazement, I heard these words come from my mouth: "Well, I guess I made a mistake."
My immediate personal thoughts? I goofed. No big deal! It doesn't make me less valuable. Surprised by my verbal response and new self-chatter, I realized the liberating truth: I was finally escaping the tyranny of my striving-too-hard-to-make-it-all-right mindset, and was learning to live with my humanness and imperfection. I couldn't help smiling. Still can't. And it's definitely a relief!
Make it Personal: Tell a good friend about a recent blunder you made and chuckle about it together."
Webb, Joan C. (2009) "It's A Wonderful Imperfect Life: Daily Encouragement for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make it Just Right. Gospel Light Worldwide, Ventura, CA