“The stories we love are filled with struggle, conflict, and failure, yet so often the stories we present to others are a highlight reel of accomplishments, perfect meals, and sunny days.” – Brian Bailey.
As I reflect upon this quote, I realize the many ways that we see the truth of his statement. Think about it – how many Christmas letters have you received that talked about the kid’s expulsion from school or the teenage daughter’s unexpected pregnancy? How many guys hang out and share with each other their struggles with pornography? How many of us go to church and talk openly about our marital or financial problems?
Now I certainly understand that if everyone’s family Christmas letter was filled with tales of defeat, we would conclude that the holiday was anything but a time of celebration. But hopefully, you get my point.
We are all humans who do the mundane – get dressed, fix breakfast; do the amazing – graduate from college, get a promotion, get married; and royally mess up – speak harsh and unnecessary words to our mate, belittle our child, or cheat on our taxes. We all have the propensity to be and do all of these things. None are exempt.
But here is the cool thing – knowing that we are not pictures of perfection, no matter how hard we try, we can relax. You see, my story at its best is not truly about me. We often live as though we are center stage; as though we have the lead and the rest of humanity has bit parts. But here is the reality – my story, when it is truly at its best, is about God and how He, being truly in the lead role, took me – with my frailties and flaws, and fit me into the tapestry of a beautifully woven life. You see, because of His redeeming power in my life – I can admit – “I am not perfect (never have been and never will be) and I don’t have to be.” It is true that in my human version of this play – I am not good enough. But in the real story of life, I don’t have to be, because God is!
This week as you ponder the story of Christmas – chew on these truths. Rather than pretend that you have it together while your mate marinates in his or her flawedness, engage without pretense in the story of love and live it authentically with your spouse. Merry Christmas!