Like a Little Child
You may see a cute toddler hanging an ornament on a Christmas tree, but Misty and I saw something different: we watched our beloved granddaughter, Harper, randomly hang ornaments with such ease and joy.
You see, earlier that day, Misty had worked tirelessly to decorate our Christmas tree. It’s something she pours her heart and soul into, and, for those standing by, it’s an intense undertaking that she wants perfect when the tree topper gets placed on top.
By the time Misty had finished hanging carefully-selected ornaments and filling in all the barren spots with just the right amount of accent branches, I stood back in amazement (the girl can decorate like nobody’s business). It seemed as if all the tree decor was spaced evenly and positioned exactly the way it was designed to be.
There was nothing left to add. It was “perfect.”
That’s all until our little Harper stepped up to the 9 foot green giant.
As she looked in wonder and amazement with those little blue eyes, she didn’t waste any time, but grabbed the first ornament that Misty had placed to the side (these were the ones that didn’t “make the cut”). With zero hesitation, her little hands went to work and she started placing ornaments wherever she saw fit.
She didn’t ask permission, nor did she look up to see if we approved; and she definitely didn’t overthink the process or wonder if everything was perfect.
Friends, she did what any awestruck child would do: she freely hung the decor in the places she so desired.
She was present, living in the moment.
Although the tree had been completed and brought to perfection, we loved that our precious little granddaughter was enjoying the moment. Even if it meant that she was altering what had been worked on so tirelessly, then so be it.
As I sat there and watched her, I thought to myself: maybe our response was a direct reflection of God’s response over our lives.
So many times we seek perfection (mostly from ourselves) to the point that we miss living in the present moment.
For many of us (I definitely know for me), we spend our time and energy trying to get this thing just right. We fret, sweat, and fight to keep it all together, working tirelessly to appear as polished as we can.
Perhaps the Father isn’t so much concerned with us getting it just right or “perfect” as he is in us simply enjoying what’s in front of us—of living in the present moment.
I believe the way of Jesus is lighter and easier than we ever imagined. Perhaps when he said, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden,” he was addressing the human condition of trying to keep it all together for ourselves, others, and especially for a god that (supposedly) desires and demands perfection.
So, I encourage you: drop the agenda of perfection; go ahead and shake off the illusion that you’ve got to get it all right. Believe you me, the pursuit of it will leave dry, weak, worn out, and burned out. I know, I’ve tried.
Allow your heart to live in the present moment, living fully alive in the fact that you’re perfectly loved and accepted by a good and perfect Father. There’s nothing to prove and there’s definitely no one to impress. There’s only life to live, and that life is available to you in the present moment.
Blessings!
