Homemade Whoopie Pies: Batch 1 (left) and Batch 2 (right)
I am a perfectionist. I want to do everything the right way the first time.
I also love taking risks and trying things I've never done.
Don't you love the way that God specifically wires us such that we would be a big huge mess without him? It
The risk-taker in me has reveled in our adoption process. The perfectionist has pouted. I love this new adventure, but I also really want a computer program where I input some variables (child's age, # of days home, situation in question), and it spits out the right answer. But there is no right way to do this, and even if there was I am pretty sure I couldn't do it on my first try. All I can do is commit each day to listening, learning, and living under the grace of God.
In practical terms, this looks like letting someone else (my dad, who Z is crazy about) put Z to bed for the first time so that J and I can go on a long overdue date... even though I wasn't absolutely positive it was exactly the right time. I didn't want to do it wrong! But I needed to do it anyway. And guess what? Z did great. So great, in fact, that when J and I came home to a quiet house at 8 PM, my dad sent us back out to get dessert.
It looks like admitting to myself that I am going to mess up daily, so that I don't have to waste time wallowing in despair when (not if) it happens. Instead of saying mentally berating myself, I can just shrug it off, learn from it, and hope to do better next time. It also helps to know that God's grace isn't just for me - its also for my kids. I will fail, but he won't. Though it is my God-given role to love and nurture them, they are his children before they are mine and he loves them even more than I do. And for that, this crazy perfectionist risk-taking mama is very grateful.
Love this post! You are a great momma!
ReplyDeleteWell said, my friend. You're doing great!
ReplyDeleteOH.My.LORD! First you snub mama in the Facebook post and NOW you don't mention her here!? You, missy, are in big trouble.
ReplyDelete(Great post, by the way. You are a fabulous mom to all 3 of your boys)
I will vouch that those whoopie pies were delish.
ReplyDeleteYou ARE doing a great job. Though I am REALLY not a perfectionist, I can totally relate to issues with letting go. Day by day :)
It also helps to know that God's grace isn't just for me - its also for my kids. I will fail, but he won't. Though it is my God-given role to love and nurture them, they are his children before they are mine and he loves them even more than I do.
ReplyDeleteI think as a mother that is the hardest thing to get through to my head and heart :)
Good mothering!!
oh YEAH.... accepting God's grace for MY failures. That's so tough. Grace is nice, but honestly I'd rather be perfect. Accepting that I'm not and that I need grace is a daily struggle. Thanks for this post. (And those whoopie pies look DELICIOUS, by the way).
ReplyDelete