Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Ms. Prefection

This week we have met Ms Perfection. Parts of this post that are typed in blue will come directly from the book "Behind Those Eyes"

Does Ms Perfection live at your house well she does at mine but she doesn't show up in my house as much as she does in me when I am and about. I wonder after reading this chapter how many people who see me think I have "it all together" man would they be surprised. 1st of all I am a messie, (don't like housework) and then I am a procrastinator (so I put off the house work). Being Single this is not much of a problem since I only have to appear to be the perfect housekeeper when I am having a family or other function at my house.

Lisa talked about the Sunday Fakeout, you know the one where Satan attacks all Sunday morning as you are trying to get your family ready and the fights in the car on the way to church and then as soon as you get out of the car in the parking lot everyone is all smiles. I don't miss those days, I only had one son so mind were to bad a lot of silence, which can be a good thing. However I now have my a different type of Sunday Fakeout, especially if I don't come up with an activity I like for my Sunday school class until Saturday night. Then I am hurrying around Sunday morning trying to get everything ready and walk into church like I have just had a nice leisurely morning.

The perfect wife she doesn't live in this household no need for her although there are some days when I wouldn't mind the opportunity to see if I could make her exist but only if it is with God's man for this woman.

Now the perfect mom yea she lives here and she has had 39 years to practice but praise God he is taken care of her over the years. Now I just want to show my son unconditional love and be here when he needs me, unfortunately I know I step in sometimes when God wants me to keep my hands off.

The perfect daughter now she lives here in fulforce but it is different from when she was younger and growing up. My mother will be 86 this year and while I want to be there for her all the time I am realizing I can't and sometime Satan puts a guilt trip on me says "What will her neighbors think if you don't go by to check on her tonight" but my mother and I are working out those things. When I was younger I always tried to be the peace maker since I was the middle child and that trait has carried over to adulthood and shows up in Ms. Perfect.

Two things that Lisa said that stood out for me in this chapter are:
1. Appearance of perfection can be deceiving, especially in marriage.
I have dealt with this a lot when I was younger and I would see
other Single women who were more worldly settle down and have
what seemed like a perfect home and family.
2. Women the truth is that God doesn't have to prove anything to let
us see our imperfections, we can manage that all on our own.
The problem is that we don't want others to see them whereas God
wants others to see them so that we can point the way to him.

Now a note of honesty, since last week was my 1st week of ever doing an on-line blogging bible study I was worried that my post was too long when I wrote it so this week I wrote out what I wanted to say before typing it and when I got to the keyboard and started typing God changed it all around.

I love Lisa prayer for this week:
Heavenly Farther, thank you for seeing us from the inside out.
Thank you for desiring a relationship with your daughters that is
based on Love and Grace rather than perfectionism. May we, through
your power, break free from the trap of trying to be perfect. May we
replace our old efforts with with newer, more spiritually minded ones.

Jesus help me to be real, let people see you in me.

If you would like to see what others doing this study have to say click here
.


15 comments:

Laura said...

Hi, Pat! How exciting that this is your first online Bible study. This is only my second and it is so wonderful. I just love connecting with ladies all over the world. It's like a little book club. and I didn't think your post too long at all. It sounds like you have been through some different seasons with Ms. Perfection. I love to hear everyone's story. i look forward to hearing more from you.

Paula said...

Hi Pat. You have shared some amazing insights into where Ms Perfection tries to weasle her way into our lives. I agree with you in that God wants us to be imperfect so that we can lead others to Him. So very true. I look forward to reading more posts as the study goes along, and no post can ever be too long. Check out mine for proof, hehe! In Him, Paula :-0

Tammy said...

I enjoy your writing and insights.

I'm new to this online bible study and seeing we are to be real,I thought the same thing:)

Kelly said...

Hi Pat,
Thanks for your nice note on my blog, it's wonderful to meet you! The online study is really good, isn't it? Lots to mull over!
The picture you like on the top of my blog is a pic of my mother's garden in Maple Valley, WA taken taken about 6 or 7 years ago! It is a beautiful place to sit down and have a glass of ice tea for sure!
Blessings,
Kelly

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Pat-thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights (and the post is not too long!). Isn't it amazing how God will change our words to fit what He wants us to day? Now that'sbeing real and living in truth!

Blessings!

In His Graces~Pamela

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Hi Pat,

Don't worry one bit about posting too much! I am the "blabbering blogger"! I just put it out there and usually have to go back and delete something!

GOD honors honesty and the women in the Bible Study will love and pray for you no matter what you write. I can attest to that myself!

I love what you had to say and that you are participating. I saw Jacksonville, FL and my nephew and his family just moved there - Point Vedra or something like that. He is an IT specialist for Johnson and Johnson now.

They - he and his wife and their 4 daughters need GOD in their lives! It is heartbreaking! A beautiful family with all the "stuff" to make them "perfect" and inside it's miserable.

Glad to meet a new sister in HIM!
Blessings,
Teri

Leaon Mary said...

Hi Pat,
It was wonderful reading you tonight and I look forward to coming back for next weeks' thoughts!
I shared your heart about checking on your aged Mother. I know how hard that is when you care for an aged parent. Enjoy every precious moment. I miss my Mom so much. ;)
This week was really hard for me doing this study, and I'm hoping God's just showing me things that will eventually help me get a griP ya know? God help me! LOL
I'm so happy to make your acquaintance, and look forward to hearing more from Pat's Tuesdays,
Blessings,
Lea

Anonymous said...

Hello! Thanks for the warm comment on my blog. Isn't it wonderful how we can come together like we are and share in friendship and with support and encouragement. I value what you had to say in your post re when we break down the barriers of perfection we are "pointing the way to Him". We've all GOT to see that as valuable, for ourselves and for those who need to know Him...

Have a beautiful day. God Bless. Naomi

Laura said...

Pat,
I just wanted to say that, you are the one who garners respect: teacher of little ones! Hoo-ray for you. You are making the future a good place to be by teaching them about Jesus and being His hands.
Smiles :)
Laura

Carol said...

Hi Pat,

It's my first online study too, I love reading everyone's posts, so much insignt and openenss.

I didn't think your posts were to long, I feel the same way. My posts have been long but it's what's God's put on my heart, and what God's put on your heart so it's important.

Looking forward to reading more of your insights and posts.

LeeBird3 said...

Hi Pat,

Don't be worrying about the length of your blog...just say what God has for you to say.

You remind me of my pastor who is always checking his watch during his sermons and I just want to scream, "PREACH ON BROTHER!"

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers on my blog. I'm still hunting the counselor God has for me. Lee

Amy L Brooke said...

Thanks for the comment. I love your perspective. So, did you set up your blog specifically for these studies?

It's good to meet you!

Lisa said...

Pat,
From the heart of one very long winded girl :), please be encouraged to share your heart on your posts and don't worry about the length. I try to be respectful of people's time and know many want to read something short and succent. But I also want to write what is on my heart, and that may not be short and/or sweet. So I say, write on, girlfriend!

Loved your honesty in this post. I can sense you are seeking His truth above all, and that is what it is all about.

I prayed for you tonight by name!
Lisa :)

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

I cannot believe that I found your e-mail in the spam folder! I was born in Lynchburg which is north on route 29 from Danville. I have been there many times.

What a small world! I've lived all over the state practically and in North Carolina briefly.
The Tri-Cities is the Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City TN area..not Virginia.

I'm actually in a small "hamlet" called Lebanon, VA. We made the news apparently during the Democratic Convention and when Obama visited the town shortly after. Before that, we were the town that time forgot.

I used to hate it so much, but after the time spent in the "pit", I love it with all my heart! This is what GOD meant for my life and I came back humbled and made new and clean by HIM.

Blessings,
Teri

june said...

Pat,

He this is June ove at A day in the
Word. I do not know where to go
and link up my post with all of yours. Will you please help me.

Also where do you find the link each week???

June