Un-Perfect. Wait, what?

Un-Perfect. I know what you’re thinking – un-perfect is not even a word.

But the numbers don’t lie:

5 – Number of texts I’ve accidentally sent to the wrong person (which include, but are not limited to, inviting my son’s friend’s DAD to a beach getaway and responding to a friend’s request for parenting advice with “I’m on my way with duct tape”).

4 – Number of times per year I show up at appointments actually scheduled for another day/week.

3 – Number of times I have backed into my own garage door.

2 – Number of times per hour I use “find my iphone” or my key-locater device.

1 – Number of times I’ve had my paypal account shut down and investigated for making a joke about “Cuban cigars” while sending a payment to a friend.

Do you see it now? The need for a whole new word to describe my, well, un-perfection. And I’m guessing I’m not completely alone in this category. (Although I’m starting to think my experiences are slightly extreme within the normal range…)

According to Noah Webster, the adjective “unperfect” actually DID exist at one time (which makes me retro, right?), having the same meaning IMPERFECT does today.

“UNFINISHED. NOT COMPLETE.”

 

And in my twisted reality, it’s a GOOD thing because, I am also un-perfect in the spiritual sense. Not only in a “God’s not finished with me yet” kind of way, although, thank God, that is true as well (Philippians 1:6),

but also in an

“I was never meant to be complete this side of eternity”

kind of way.

 

Living right smack in the middle of the “now” and the “not yet,” there are temporary glimpses of glory, but the clouds of humanity are reminders of the ever-present conflict of spiritual beauty living in a broken world. An eternal soul meant for radiant glory, covered in rotting flesh. I was created for MORE. I was created for PERFECTION. Perfect relationships. Perfect worship. Perfect communion with God’s creation. The Garden of Eden. Paradise. But here I am. Incomplete. Imperfect. UN-perfect.

 

This blog is all about my un-perfect life and how God’s perfection continues to complete me, one experience and Word of Truth at a time. I am praying that together we find his GRACE in the IMPERFECTIONS of our lives – His MIGHT in the midst of our MESSES. His FULLNESS in the UNFINISHED.

 

What are some ways you’ve experienced the “Un-Perfect” life? Leave a comment with the serious or silly! Tag, you’re it!

10 Comments

  1. Silly -Unperfect at folding fitted sheets, serious- unperfect at so many aspects of parenting (consistency and follow through)

    1. Wait – people actually fold fitted sheets instead of wadding them up and stuffing them in the closet?!?! I’m with you on the parenting thing! I used to think my kids would turn out “great and godly” BECAUSE of me, but now I’m pretty sure if it happens, it will be IN SPITE of me:) So glad you stopped by the blog!

  2. Motherhood has reminded me how “unperfect” I am – it’s a daily act of humility as I strive to show my kids Christ in all I do. On a personal note, I know just how “unperfect” I am by the number of times I send emails without attachments. 🙂

    1. Ditto on the emails without attachments! And in the unperfect parenting. The church asked Art and I to teach a parenting class once – we decided we’d better wait and see if our parenting actually “worked”:) God’s grace alone!

  3. My husband sent me this! (He meant it in a very sweet way) He knows me too well and loves me for it! I’m glad I have a God who loves me even more! I can relate to this. I can’t even speak in complete sentences and often speak in my own created language. Thanks for this Shelly. I look forward to more of your encouragement.

  4. Unperfect is what I am. Pumpkins growing in my tomato bed that is actually my strawberry bed, but they all died :-/
    Shelly, you are wonderful, your sense of humor refreshing and full of life.
    Besides, I am known for filling my life with beautiful, quirky, unperfect friends, who bubble over with love. Hugs girl. This blog will be great.

    1. Lol! I gave up gardening the year I thought I’d give it a try with a potted tomato plant! Put it on the back porch and never remembered it again for 2 months!

  5. Un-perfect. What a great word and an accurate description of me. Unfortunately my memory is like that of Dory in the Finding Nemo and Dory movies. I’m always busy and onto the next thing in life – if I can remember what that is! I can’t recall any crazy moments of imperfection, but you can be sure that they are numerous! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to reading more.

    1. Dory! That’s a perfect description, and maybe a future blog-post! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!

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