Perfectionists...

I am a perfectionist...OCD (self diagnosed ;o) about things I expect of myself. Thankfully, God has enabled me to be (or protected me from being otherwise) merciful to those around me. The flaw is truly my own alone. We won't dwell on where that has taken me but give praise to God for the fact that I am a relatively normal person (debatable by some). One does what one must do.

Since I am not one to dwell on past mistakes and reasons for same, it has not become a need to determine exactly what brought this about in my life. But as we serve a remarkable God Who uses all things in our lives to good (and brings things to light), it has come to my attention recently in a study I am doing on my own of the book of Esther written by Beth Moore, there IS indeed a reason and she spelled it out in thoughts even this simple mind can grasp. Please bear with me as I share what she wrote. I can only wish that these wonderful thoughts were my own, but they are not so I give credit where credit is due.

"Extraordinary things happen around us continually. We just don't recognize them. The thought occurs to me afresh that great lives don't always seem great while we're living them. They may seem embarrassingly regular. Seeking to be extraordinary isn't the answer because great lives are never achieved by making greatness the goal..."

"If your identity is wrapped up in the magnificent things you're destined to achieve - as a great writer, musician, scientist, politician, chef - the thought that you might produce something mediocre can be devastating." Perfectionists always lose. Couldn't the craving to do something great keep us from doing something good?"

"Spending ourselves for something infinitely greater still fans our parched souls with the God-given need to matter, but relieves us of the relentless pain of being the "IT" person at the center of it. To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life." - Beth Moore

I have the wonderful opportunity to spend myself for something infinitely greater as a teacher. I matter to about 375 kids every day. What a privilege! May I ever be mindful of the gift God has given me where He has placed me.

Beth writes, "Every one of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things. His Holy Hand resting on the least act renders the ordinary extraordinary." Teach your children, Lord...here I am, use me.