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Embracing Imperfection

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:8-9

I know I've already written a blog post today, but I've had an epiphany. 
Are you ready for it?

Here it goes. 
I. AM. NOT. PERFECT.

Don't tell me you already knew that? 
Okay, you did.

And I knew it too. 

I just haven't been living like it.

You see, I have this problem. I have this tendency to try so very hard to be perfect ... and when I fail, because I always will... I condemn myself. 

I feel defeated.

I feel guilty.

Why CAN'T I be the perfect wife? The perfect mom? The perfect daughter? The perfect sibling? The perfect friend? The perfect Christian?

Oh that's right.

I'm not God.

And let's be honest, I have a head knowledge of that. 
I know that realistically, I can't be perfect.

But man if I don't wake up every single morning, making my to-do lists, and trying my hardest to prove something to someone.

But to who?

I prayed before my devotion tonight, begging God to show me what I most desperately needed to hear.

This is what I learned:

God does NOT condemn me for my sins.

I have already been forgiven.

I was forgiven the moment I confessed my sins and asked Jesus into my heart!

But yet, I constantly condemn myself.

I feel like if I admit my failures, it makes me less of a person.

But in reality, I'm less of a person for hiding them. 

There is FREEDOM in embracing my imperfections.

There is FREEDOM in letting go of my pride.

Yes, I said it. 

PRIDE.

 What else makes me want to check off a list of how "good" I've been all day?

I have nothing to prove to anyone.

Not to you.

Not to me.

Not to God.

I AM ALREADY LOVED, JUST THE WAY I AM.

I am FREE to be ME.
So here it is.

My confession.

I am NOT a perfect person.

No matter what my Facebook page or Instagram account reflects.

I mess up DAILY. 

And you know what?

I OWN IT.

My new life goal is to show you God's GRACE in my life - not my attempt at perfection.

I'm not perfect.

But He is.

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