Enjoy Being Imperfect

I hate to break it to you, but you’re imperfect. And you’re going to be imperfect today. Me too. We might as well enjoy it.

I was driving to lead a service for Parables when I glanced down and noticed a coffee stain at the top of my dress. And not from that day, I have to admit. Oops. I had also worn this dress the day before when I attended a Celebration of Life in memory of my friend’s Mom. I had not seen this stain before leaving the house.

Then a few minutes later, I glanced down again and saw another coffee stain. This one had actual coffee rings. What am I, a coaster? I had not noticed this either.

But this was all fitting. At the Celebration of Life service, it became clear that my friend’s Mom had a hallmark laugh. She laughed hard and often. And many people shared that she enjoyed laughing at herself — especially if she made a mistake, was clumsy, or had misunderstood something. She also loved to dance, and her family had created a dancing playlist in her honor.

Here I was, listening to these songs, noticing my coffee markings, and laughing at myself, too. I hope she would have approved.

We are going to be imperfect — today and every day. Rather than chiding ourselves, can we laugh? Or at least give ourselves a little grace?

—Renee Roederer