I had the desire to start this blog many years ago. I had the stories. I had the experiences. I had the calling. Heck, I even had the degrees. I had proven myself over and over again. I have won awards for my work. And been recognized as a top social media correspondent many years in a row at a marketing conference. I can’t even begin to remember or count how many articles, guidebooks, email campaigns, social media posts, proposals, etc. that I’ve put together. Every day I touch countless pieces of content. It is literally what I do for a living.
Because of that, I also had the pressure of wanting every word, every image, every idea to be perfect. I’d want an editor to ensure I was always following AP style, that I’d never have a typo, and that all of my content would be clear and concise. I’d want a designer to give me beautiful images for every post and were perfectly branded. And so, I waited. I tweaked. I doubted. I delayed.
I actually started a few times, only to be stopped by doubt. By fear. My perfectionism became my Achilles Heel.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with perfectionism. And while it may sound like a harmless personality trait on the surface, perfectionism can be paralyzing. It convinces you that almost good enough still isn’t worth sharing. It whispers that if you can’t do it flawlessly, maybe you shouldn’t do it at all.
But here’s what I’ve come to realize: There is only one perfect person, one perfect ceator, one perfect parent—and that’s God.
He is the standard of holiness, the embodiment of love, the ultimate guide. And yet, even He doesn’t expect perfection from us. He knows we’ll fall short. That’s why He gave us grace. That’s why He gave us Jesus.
We’re called to walk in His ways, but also to understand that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
In motherhood, this truth is especially freeing. I didn’t grow up in the happiest house. My mother has always suffered from mental illness and refused to seek help and my father was an alcoholic. He passed away several years ago and never got to meet my children and I haven’t spoken with my mom in years. We’ll talk about boundaries in a later post.
Anyhow, I had always created this image in my mind of what a perfect mom was and that was later validated by sites like Instagram and Pinterest. You know, the mom with beautifully curated sensory bins, themed schedules, and enough crafts that I’d need an entire separate house to store them all. But the more I lean into God’s grace and let go of society’s noise, the more I see the beauty in the messy middle.
My kids don’t need a perfectly structured day to thrive. Sometimes, their best moments come from boredom. Like the afternoon they turned into cardboard robots using diaper boxes from the garage. Or the time they transformed into racecar drivers with the same boxes, racing through our living room with nothing but giggles and imagination.
None of it was planned. None of it came from a printable or a reel. But it was magic. And it reminded me that my job isn’t to entertain or perfect every second—it’s to create space for wonder, for learning, and for them.
This applies to all areas of life.
In your career, in your relationships, in your faith journey—perfection isn’t the goal. Growth is. Obedience is. Becoming more like Christ is.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t try. I still plan, I still care, and I still work hard to show up with intention. But I’ve learned to question my “why” more often. Am I really going to Hobby Lobby today because my children need those crafts to have a good summer and find success later in life? Do I really need to get my work inbox down to 0 unread messages even though it’s 9 pm? Do I need to be at the gym every day they’re open or is 4 or 5 days a week sufficient to meet my goals?
God didn’t teach us that we are better for doing any of those things or that we must do themto get to Heaven. He called us to live boldly in His truth, trusting that His strength shines brightest in our weakness.
So if you’re holding back—whether it’s a blog, a dream, a hard conversation, or just the permission to rest—let me remind you: you don’t have to be perfect. Just be present. Be faithful. Be willing.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God reminds us that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That’s where the real beauty lies.
Relax, mama. Breathe. Give yourself permission to release your fears, anxieties, and just be present.
It’s okay to have goals and ambitions, but it’s also okay to slow down and enjoy this wonderful world He gave us.
Related Posts You’ll Love:
Moms, When You Feel Stuck in Your Career, Remember This
Setting Boundaries as a Working Mom (Especially When You Work From Home)
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