Month: July 2020

We seem to be obsessed in our world over “perfection”.  I’m not sure that anyone really knows what that actually looks like.  But it is something everyone seems to lean towards.  We want it to be perfect.  If a product has a spot on it, we don’t want it.  Wendy and I receive fruits and veggies from a place that tries to salvage the products that consumers will not buy in the store.  They don’t buy them because they are imperfect.  They are not rotten.  They are actually delicious.  But they had some imperfection that made it impossible for them to place them on a shelf at a store.  Consumers wouldn’t buy them with whatever was wrong.  Sometimes I look at a fruit and can see the imperfection.  But most of the time, I can’t even tell.  I realize just how consumed we are by only getting the best.  Enough food to feed the world gets thrown away because it isn’t perfect.

That same thought pours into the remainder of our lives.  It somehow spills over into our thoughts of ourselves.  We begin to evaluate our own lives by some imaginary measuring stick which is impossible to actually achieve.  On social media, we post the best parts of our lives, making it seem that another level of perfection is achievable.  We tend to hide the difficulties or struggles when we see someone in person, even our close friends.  We want to have a persona that we have it together – or at least are on that path.  We work hard to cover or correct the things which we consider imperfect.

What if our imperfections are actually what make us beautiful?  I know that is a lot to take in or grasp.  But those things which make us unique, different than anyone else, could be gifts.  It could help us to realize that we were not created to be like everyone else – so we don’t need to live up to their standards.  We are meant to live as the beautifully different creations made by a loving and caring God.  He didn’t make a mistake when he made us.  He made someone unique and amazing.  Maybe we try embracing our imperfections as gifts that help us to be uniquely us.  We are, after all, God’s beloved.

Focus Scripture:

Isaiah 42:5

⁵ Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

There are days when nothing seems to go right.  We feel as though we have the opposite of the Midas touch.  We lose keys (and our mind), we trip over our own feet, we lose the phone that is in our hand, and we simply cannot seem to get it together.  Those days are what they are.  We live through them and hope tomorrow isn’t the same.

There are days when all seems to fall into place.  Our conversations go well.  We offer kindness and notice it in others.  We don’t spill our coffee and it is made just right.  Things just seem to flow in an usually peaceful way.  And we can only hope tomorrow is the same.

Through either of these, there is something we can do.  There is a consistency in both.  It is, I’ll admit, not the obvious answer.  It can be a challenge.  But what if…no matter what our day holds…we praise God?  What if, instead of complaining about the difficult days, we praise God for another day?  What if, instead of simply feeling relief over a good day, we praise God for the joys?  What if our natural inclination, no matter our circumstances, is to praise?  How might that change things?

If we are constantly focused on praise, we will be on the lookout for where God is working.  We will be honed into the beauty and majesty of his work.  We will take the time to praise God for simply the air to breathe.  It may be the simple, small things that cause us to praise, but at least we will be looking for them.  It might shift our attention from the difficult days to the joys in each day.  It may cause us to take a second look at the things that would normally turn our day the wrong way.  We might find ourselves looking for the praiseworthy.  And there is always something in each day that causes us to praise.  No day goes by that God is not working.  No day happens without his love and joy.  Some days just may cloud our view.  We can clear it out and praise him anyway.  May we never lose our praise.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 96

¹ O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
⁴ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
⁹ Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.

¹⁰ Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³     before the Lord; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Isn’t it crazy how much a simple smile can light up a face?  A simple gesture of kindness can change an entire day.  An effort to go an extra step can alter someone’s mood and bring hope.  The right word spoken at the right time can renew joy.  A listening ear can remind others that they are valued.  A meal shared can break through loneliness.  A phone call can extend friendship.  It is amazing how the most simple efforts can be so powerful.

We try to make kindness difficult sometimes.  We imagine we have to make big gestures to make big impacts.  We focus on the large efforts and sweeping productions to make change.  But if we really want to make a difference, the seemingly small acts can be the key.  If we all could focus on doing one small act of kindness each day, it would do more than we could ever imagine.  We may not see the results, but that never is the reason.  We may not know how we touched someone else’s life, but that is perfectly okay.  The act of kindness is enough in itself.  Simply to find a way to show kindness is the key.  And as described, it doesn’t need to be elaborate.  The small things matter.

One of the most powerful characteristics of Jesus for me is that he saw people.  He truly took the time to see the beggar on the street that everyone else stepped over.  He saw those with skin diseases that had been excluded from society.  He saw the women of questionable character for the beauty that they were.  He saw the rich, not as rich and powerful, but as needy and desperate.  He wasn’t swept away by the glitz and glamor.  He was moved by the heart of a person.  He truly saw people.  He changed lives through the simple act of seeing people.  It really is the simple things that make such a difference.

What simple acts of kindness can we do today?  Could it be a smile, going the extra step, offering a listening ear?  Whatever it is, take some time today to simply be kind.  It just might change someone’s day…and it might be yours.

Focus Scripture:

Galatians 5:22-23

²² By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery