Perfectionism

I have been thinking a lot the past few days about perfectionism. I was scrapbooking this past weekend and I think it is so easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to create perfect scrapbook layouts with perfect pictures that represent our perfect families. Or why scrapbook at all? That mentality can be applied to anything:

• keeping a perfectly clean house
• having a picture-perfect marriage
• being the perfect mom
• cooking perfect, healthy meals every night
• being perfectly consistent in our time with the Lord
• developing a perfect looking body

Not only is this not realistic, it’s not Biblical. Read the following quotes about perfectionism and see if they challenge your thinking:

"What we are seeking is excellence, not perfection. Perfection is for our own self-gratification, excellence is for the glory of God." - Olan Hendrix

Julie Fuimano, Personal & Career Coach, says, "Perfectionism is one of the roots of procrastination."

Michael J. Fox said, "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business."

I have also read that perfection is defined as control. We desire to control the look, the process, the outcome, the end result.

Ladies, this is not how we want to live!

When we strive for perfection we are focused on self and others. Excellence takes the focus off ourselves and off impressing others, and keeps our focus on the Lord and bringing glory to Him alone. As it says above, perfection is God's business.

Together lets strive for excellence in our Homemaking journeys.