I am not a perfect daughter of God

I make mistakes. I make mistakes every single day. Big mistakes. Little mistakes. I make them.

I started this blog with the idea in mind that  it would be a place for those of us struggling with the universal idea of perfection. The Pinterest stay-at-home, everything made from scratch, sew all of our own clothes, healthy and fit family,  spotless home, perfectly behaved children mom eats at all of us. I know it does. I hear it from my friends and family. I see it in myself. We don't have to be perfect to seek spiritual perfection. We all make mistakes. That is the beauty of life.

I make mistakes. I leave dishes in the sink. I skip laundry some evenings. I lose my temper. I don't always eat the best foods. I let my hurt feelings create resentment. I have lazy days. I do many other things. I am not perfect. I am willing to bet that neither are you.

We don't have to be perfect. That is the reason that Christ atoned for our sins. If we were perfect beings, it would have been wasted flesh. He is not wasted flesh, He is our brother. He loves us so perfectly that He was willing to endure pain beyond our imagination to fulfill the plan of salvation. He wants us to live eternally in his presence. You know what? So do I.

I want to live eternally with my family. I want to live in peaceful service of the Lord. I want to live in a perfect body (no more acne or hangnails!) with my husband and my children and my children's children, hence forth eternally. I don't have to be perfect to do that. I have to accept the plan of salvation and live the principals of the gospel. It's that simple.

I am not happy when I am judging myself against the perfection of others. I am not happy when I sin, but I know that I have to sin, forsake, repent and forgive as my part in Heavenly Father's plan. What a blessing it is to know that although I fall short of perfection, I am perfect in His eyes.

Today I challenge you to know that you fall short of perfection, and that is ok. It is ok not to be the perfect home-maker. It is ok to hold a little resentment in your heart. You are human. I am human too. I am right there with you. You are not alone. Never let your shortcomings distance you from your Heavenly Father. Use them to build a relationship of faith and trust with Him. Leave the dishes in the sink a little longer and hug your children or spouse a little longer. They are more important than our material existence.

Take ten minutes and thank yourself for the hard work you do. Say a prayer. Enjoy a mint or a piece of chocolate. Snuggle up with your scriptures. The good work you have done far outweighs the rest.