For my eldest's birthday I made my first ever decorated sugar cookies and if you have never decorated cookies, let me tell you it takes a large measure of patience.
By the time I decorated the 3rd cookie, I wanted to give up. I was stressed because every frosting line I attempted was not perfect; but instead of quitting, I asked God to help me finish.
Yes, I prayed to God to help me with something small like decorating cookies.
But you know what? The Bible says, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18a) And because I took the time to pray, God gave me insight into my real issue: I was needlessly stressing myself out trying to make something perfect that was not intended to be perfect in the first place.
I don't know why I have the desire for a cookie-cutter type perfection (and not just for cookie decorating) but this weekend I made the opportunity to talk with God as I decorated these cookies and it resulted in me asking God to help me let go of my desire for perfection.
When I finished, I found I actually enjoyed the cookies better with their little mistakes. They weren't boring carbon copies of each other, but each one a little different ... and that's what made them interesting and special. God showed me there is beauty in imperfections.
Is there anything in your life causing you stress? Could it be due to unrealistic expectations you are forcing on yourself? Take some time and ask God for help--no matter how small or trivial you think the problem is. He wants to help; you only have to ask.
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