Perfect Imperfections

Things don't always go exactly as we had them perfectly planned. We can be really good at planning things down to the minute, have everything set up and ready to go, when the unexpected throws us off guard.

My step sister got married almost a week ago. As we all know, there is never any stress involved with planning or executing plans in weddings. Weddings never have hiccups or any sort of trials to overcome. There is never family drama of any kind or the need to make sudden, unexpected changes. In fact, all weddings are completely, perfectly, 100% planned by a month before the date and all that needs to be done is the marrying part. Right. Maybe in the dream utopian world we would all like to believe existed.

Allyce and Travis' day was, however, nearly perfect. There was a slight late start on some of the plans, we almost hit a deer getting the bride to the church, but it was beautiful. It was a perfect, warm and sunny day, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely.

As with any perfect wedding, there were some imperfections. Imperfections that just make the wedding that much more perfect and wonderful. While red velvet cupcake being splattered everywhere after the bouquet toss is a memorable, good and hilarious moment, the most notable moment of the entire day happened before the wedding even began.

My sweet, adorable, threenage nephew was the ring bearer. Poor kid may have been experiencing a slight cold to contribute to his threenage stage. It was almost "go" time. I was sitting with my brother, sister-in-law, and two older nephews waiting for this lovely ceremony to start. The rings had been tied to the pillow. The piano music was lovely as we waited patiently for the procession to begin. People started looking out the window of the little church and the next thing I know, my sister-in-law said to me, "They're looking for the ring." Instant panic. I ran out to help them search in the yard (as did a few other kind guests). It was the hardest Easter egg hunt ever. Ten minutes went by. No rings. Fifteen. Still no rings. My sister (his mom) and I checked the kid's pockets, took off his pants and checked inside his shoes. Nowhere to be found. After about twenty minutes of zero luck, the wedding went on using a borrowed ring, and with hope of finding it after the wedding.

A goat was exchanged, as well as the vows. There was a kiss and once again we were out the door to resume hunting. It took raking, and the lifting of the wooden ramp into the church for my other sister to find the rings. Exceeding anyone's expectations, they were found in the band of Curto's diaper. In those stressful minutes, all anyone could think about was finding the rings. After it was over, we laughed about it. Here's the thing: if the rings hadn't gone missing, Travis' grandparents would have missed the ceremony. We also wouldn't have this amazing story to tell at Curtis' future wedding.

Unexpected things happen in our lives all the time. Cars crash, grandparents get sick, friendships break apart. And through it all, God is good. God is at the center, in the midst of it all. He is directing us, if we listen. He is comforting us, if we allow Him. He wants to remind us that it's going to be ok if we allow Him to be the center of our lives. Because He works all things for the good of those who love Him. That doesn't mean it's always going to be easy. In fact, sometimes, instead of rings ending up in the band of a diaper, they could end up in the middle of the poopiness (I'm not sure if that is a word, but for all intents and purposes it is now). But when our lives are in the center of the poopiness, we can't forget that God is right there with us. He has a plan for us. He is making a way for us. He knows what is going to happen before it happens. Long before Zaccheaus couldn't see Jesus, God put that tree there. He knows our need. He puts people in our lives to meet our need. When our eyes and hearts are open to seeing Jesus, we need to be willing to climb the tree.

I've always struggled with trying to please everyone and ultimately trying to please myself by being perfect. It's taken a lot for me to realize that I don't have to please everyone. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. All that matters is that I am living my life to please the God I was created to serve and to love. I've also realized that I'm not perfect, and that I will never be perfect. But in my imperfections, there is perfection. Proverbs 31 has this beautiful imagery of the woman I desire to be.

Who[a] can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

So when life hits me unexpectedly, instead of panic mode, I will clothe myself in strength and dignity. I will laugh without fear of the future, because I know that my God is in my midst. My God is mighty. My God is powerful. And my God loves me more than I could ever imagine. Be brave. Expect the unexpected. And allow the perfect imperfections to bring you strength and joy.