Picture Perfect

 

Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. ~Matthew 5:48

What in the world is that mound of white scraps pictured above?  Can you guess?  Here's a hint:  I just sorted, folded, hung up, and put away clean laundry in our bedroom.  Yes, the dryer sheet is there along with the ragged remains of a Kleenex forgotten on one of my jeans' pockets.

Rats!  I try to be so diligent when it comes to checking pockets before even throwing dirty clothes into the hamper.  Not only does the tissue get torn up in the process, but also has the annoying habit of clinging to any piece of clothing it possibly can.  Even when I think I've removed every last thread of Kleenex debris, I can be sure that one or two errant strands will show up where I least expect it.

Carrying fresh tissues in my pockets is something I've practiced since I was a young adult.  I recall my dad telling me that I should never, ever rub my eyes with a bare hand, but should always use a tissue to avoid transmitting germs from my fingertips to my eyelids.  Great advice that I've wisely followed.

Yet still, I'll occasionally forget to check and empty my pockets before starting a wash.

I admit, I can be a slow learner.  And I'm certainly not perfect, in any way, shape or form.  Leaving a stray tissue in the wash serves to remind me of that in a big way.  It's humbling, indeed, for someone like myself who loves to "get it right" the first time.

But when I stop to think about it, no one ever gets it right the first time.  Most of the daily routines in which we engage have been practiced and fine-tuned over time to the point where we aren't even consciously aware of what we do to accomplish the tasks at hand.  We simply do them.

And I think that is exactly what Jesus means in the verse quoted above.  When we live day after day in obedience to God, surrendering our all for His glory, we grow more and more like His perfect Son.  What our Father sees now is not an imperfect creation, but a beloved child made perfect through Jesus' loving and willing sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

For me, there can be nothing more picture perfect than that.

Amen!