Perfection

This morning in Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado, he said, “God doesn't improve (us); He perfects.” And it hit me that's what God is trying to do with me. He doesn't want better, He wants perfection. But I can't do perfection. And that's okay, because He knows I can't. What He wants is for me to admit that and let Him work through me to bring about that perfection.

He sees me in His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. I am covered in His righteousness. My reading in Zephaniah said this about the LORD:

The LORD is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.

The her He is referring to is Israel, but it's apropos for this morning. The LORD will never do any unrighteousness. He lives in me. His desire for me is only perfection and that is for His glory.

On my screen-saver as I was reading my devotions was the photo with me sitting at a Rockies game with me pregnant expecting our 3^rd child and the older two, almost 3 and almost 5, next to me. Right now those three are ages 20, 23, and almost 25.

As I looked at each of them, it occurred to me that God is dealing with each one in a very unique way. Our oldest (J) is married to a beautiful young woman (A). We still can't get over how God has blessed us by bringing her into our lives. Well, they are suffering right now experiencing their first miscarriage. They are looking to our Heavenly Father and relying upon Him and trying not to be bitter. They are finding it hard when they look around them and see people who don't follow the LORD and have babies out of wedlock with no problems. But they have also found joy in this – their child got to meet the LORD Jesus before they did. Hard Times

Our second child (T) has had the great opportunity to serve the LORD overseas in a difficult land for 3 months. She loved her time there. She wants to return for a year to serve Him in working with a foster mom who works with handicapped children. But it seems no matter which way she turns the answer is wait. She now has a temp job until January as a nanny. She's hoping at the end of that time that the LORD will say yes. Waiting Times.

Our youngest (C) has a flare for drama. He's hoping to attend a conservatory. He's made application and auditioned but is awaiting word of his acceptance. And though we believe this is where the LORD wants him, he's doing nothing else. He had a job but was let go because of laziness and there really wasn't enough work to keep him on. Since then he's not done anything except sit around and play his video games. Do I believe this is where the LORD wants him? No. Do I encourage him to look for work and do other things? Yes. Can I make him? No. Times of Going My Own Way.

As I look at each of my children, I realize that God has allowed me to go through each of those times and will probably again in the future. And even in the times where He allows me to do what I want by going my own way instead of what He wants, I am realizing He still uses this for my good and His glory. I am struck by how amazing God is in that He can use all of these times to perfect us. I am humbled this morning by what He is doing in my life and so thankful that He is also doing the same thing in each one of my children's lives, no matter where they are. His goal is perfection.

(written 8-23-13)