Motherhood Misery #3: I Was a Perfectionist

I have a Type-A personality, so it’s no surprise that perfectionism was a problem as I raised my children. But even the most disorganized, free spirit is a perfectionist mom. How?

Remember that snake I referred to in the first post? Think back to another woman hanging out amongst the trees in Genesis. The snake convinced her she could be perfect:

•All-knowing

•All-wise

•Paradise-creator

That’s what we moms presume to be and it makes us miserable.

Christian women have a unique narrative Satan uses against us. This “virtuous woman” concept easily lends itself to perfectionism. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE PROVERBS 31 and will model my life after it until I die. But God never intended for his word to become a yoke of expectations that burdens mothers. Neither does he want us to think that our faith gives us power:

•to do everything right

•to make only good decisions

•to build a paradise home: no trials. no troubles. no mistakes. no sin.

We all want this, but WE CAN’T HAVE IT.

It’s what Adam and Eve wanted. They paid a price called misery.

Imagine yourself going into a hike thinking:

•I will not get sweaty or tired on this hike.

•It will not be too cold, too hot, or rainy on this hike.

•My kids will not be stung by a bee or get lost on this hike.

•Nope. I am perfect. 100% reliable. Expert visionary. My dream is for this hike to be perfect and so it will be!

You wouldn’t expect this kind of perfection on a hike so don’t expect it on the hike called motherhood.

What you can expect is that GOD WILL REDEEM WHATEVER HAPPENS.

I thank him for the ways he takes my family’s mistakes and trials, and he works them together for good. He’s perfect after all. The more I rely upon his perfect plan and wisdom, the more free I am to entrust my life and my children to his perfect care.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26. 3-4

View from the top: We clean up nice, but rest assured, we’re all imperfect.